2026 Legislative Session

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Washington has shown that effective climate policy can cut pollution, protect the environment, and can ultimately lower energy costs for Washington families. Amid federal attacks on critical clean energy legislation and funding, Washington must continue to lead. Addressing climate change has always been an enormous challenge, but our wins in Washington demonstrate that we can and we must keep building on our progress. 

Our Legislative work in 2026 will keep a focus on cutting pollution and prioritizing energy costs. There has never been a better time to protect and advance programs that are delivering benefits for our communities and making a tangible positive difference in people’s lives. 

Our climate work also goes beyond our legislative work and includes local jurisdictions (e.g. cities), energy affordability and utility policy, building codes, and marine emissions. 

2026 Legislative Priorities

Unleash Transmission (SB 5466)

We need more clean energy in Washington (more than double our supply by 2050) and right now we are not building the grid at the pace and scale we need to power the clean energy transition. To keep energy costs low, create living-wage jobs, and meet the mandates of our nation-leading climate policies, we must be able to build and move new clean energy.

Protect and Strengthen Washington's Climate Laws

The Climate Commitment Act and the Clean Energy Transformation Act (100% clean electricity) are delivering results, but both programs have loopholes that allow extra pollution and cost the state millions in revenue. With growing uncertainty resulting from federal backsliding, the Legislature must act this year to protect and strengthen these laws by tightening compliance, closing loopholes, and ensuring all large polluters continue to pay their fair share.

Leverage CCA Dollars to Cut Pollution and Boost Affordability

We expect $400-$500 million from CCA that can be spent in the supplemental budget. The Legislature should prioritize these programs to boost affordability and cut pollution.

• WA EV Instant Rebate Program ($100 million): This successful program helps households on lower incomes cut their transportation fuel costs by helping them access a new or used EV. WA currently has no passenger EV incentives, which are all the more important now that federal incentives have been revoked.
• WA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (HEAR, $50 million): Research shows we need substantial investment in building electrification to align with our State Energy Strategy. HEAR has proven to be popular and successful at distributing efficient energy upgrades to households: in its initial launch, HEAR distributed almost 4,000 rebates to households on low and moderate incomes, small businesses, and adult family homes. Funding HEAR is critical to ensuring continued progress toward building decarbonization in WA.
• WA EV Charging Program ($50 million): This program broadens access to affordable EV charging across the state through grants to public entities, Tribes, non-profits, and utilities to build chargers in places that will particularly help those who may not be able to charge at home. Adding funds to this program is a quick and effective way to cut transportation pollution and benefit communities across the state.

Overview of our legislative priorities (pdf)
Read more about our Clean Energy Siting legislative priorities here (pdf) 
Read more about all our Clean Buildings legislative priorities here (pdf) 

We’re also working with the Environmental Priorities Coalition. You can read more about those priorities here.