2023: A New Focus for Climate Action in Washington

2023 marks a significant shift in climate policy, from a focus on passing major climate policies to now implementing these transformative laws. Washington has among the strongest policy frameworks to transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy, thanks to the Legislature’s passage of the Clean Energy Transformation Act, Clean Fuels Standard, and Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which will be bolstered by the Federal Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act. As the Legislature invests in clean energy generated by the CCA, it is critical to spend the dollars wisely to transition to a carbon-free future while reducing the cost burden on vulnerable communities.

[The 2023 Legislative session is over! Here's our wrapup on how Legislators succeeded in taking climate action—amd what work remains to be done]

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1. Invest in Climate Action

Washington’s transformative Climate Commitment Act goes into effect on January 1st, 2023 and its cap-and-invest program is expected to bring in billions of dollars for climate and clean energy. As the Legislature invests in climate action using new funds coming from the CCA, it is critical to spend dollars wisely and ensure an equitable transition to a carbon-free future.

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2. Zero-Emissions Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

While greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles have remained steady, climate pollution from medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles - such as trucks, vans, and buses - has more than doubled since 1990. Diesel exhaust is responsible for 70% of the cancer risk from air pollution in Washington, so investments in this sector will also reduce toxic air pollution, which is largely concentrated in overburdened communities. Transitioning to zero-emissions MHD vehicles swiftly to meet our emissions targets requires a multi-pronged approach to reduce upfront costs and ensure adequate infrastructure. The Legislature should dedicate: $130 million towards a point-of-sale vehicle incentive program to mitigate upfront costs and incentivize sale of over 1,000 zero-emissions vehicles per year. $80 million in incentives for MHD charging infrastructure (e.g., at fleet depots) to facilitate large-scale conversion. $40 million in innovative demonstration projects to develop the market for earlier-stage applications, support zero-emissions vehicle deployment in sectors that require more assistance, and showcase Washington’s leadership.

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3. Clean Homes and Buildings

Washington’s building emissions are growing at a faster rate than any other source and have major implications for the health of those who work and live within them. To ensure equitable access to heat pumps and other electric appliances, the Legislature should provide incentives for low- and middle-income (LMI) households, schools in overburdened communities, and small businesses. To align with the State Energy Strategy, the electrification incentive program should be funded at $200 million for the 2023-2024 biennium and increase over time to meet our 2030 decarbonization goal. More specifically: $130 million to mitigate upfront costs of new electric appliance purchases and installation, with a tiered incentive structure to prioritize low-income households and ensure the most overburdened communities can benefit from this program. $70 million to fund a commercial rebate program, targeting schools in overburdened communities, minority-owned businesses, and buildings in low-income areas.

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4. Clean Energy Siting

Meeting our critical 95% greenhouse gas reduction target requires rapid development of clean energy. However, expansion of clean energy comes with a broad set of challenges: from the impact on wildlife, environment, and tribal resources of land-intensive energy sources like solar, to the potential for project delays during the permitting processes and environmental reviews. The Legislature should increase the state’s capacity to examine a growing number of clean energy project proposals, including additional funding and staffing for state agencies, the use of a programmatic environmental review across regions and technologies in the state, and a streamlined permitting application. These proposals should be paired with the creation of clean energy zones that identify least-conflict lands to minimize impact on the environment, communities, and tribal land while providing additional certainty to developers.

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5. Transportation Accessibility and Land Use Planning

Creating a clean and equitable transportation system requires a multifaceted approach that extends beyond electrification to reducing reliance on passenger vehicles and expanding transportation options. To do so, we need adequate housing near jobs, services, and transit. The Legislature should facilitate transit oriented development, end exclusionary zoning, and amend the Growth Management Act such that all jurisdictions must plan for climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington State Government

High hopes and great expectations: a political shift on climate

by Jonathan Lawson on January 15, 2021

Washington's legislative session begins. So does the Biden administration.

Cutting pollution with clean fuels: a top climate priority for Washington

by Leah Missik on January 13, 2021

Right now, Washington is a lonely outlier on the West coast: the only state that is not benefiting from a Clean Fuel Standard.

2021: Action time for climate in the Washington Legislature

by Vlad Gutman-Britten on January 8, 2021

Naysayers will claim that this is not the time for climate action in Washington, not with COVID, racial injustice, and economic recovery on the…

Here's your clean energy team for 2021

by Jonathan Lawson on December 17, 2020

Biden's climate picks bring experience, grit and a focus on environmental justice. Plus: Who the gas industry is targeting now, and climate book…

The surprising economics behind going all-electric (hint, the numbers are pretty good)

by Deepa Sivarajan on December 11, 2020

So far our blog series on clean, all-electric buildings has shown how we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve our health and safety,…

Climate Leaders Live: What's next for WA in 2021?

by Stephanie Noren on October 27, 2020

After you vote... join our conversation with Transportation Choices Coalition and Front & Centered to talk about what's next for climate action…

A Win for transit riders, disability community, clean air and less congestion 

by Climate Solutions on October 15, 2020

WA's Supreme Court strikes down controversial initiative that threatened transportation improvements and investments across the state 

Take the Climate Voter Pledge!

by Jonathan Lee on October 11, 2020

One of the strongest ways to address the climate crisis head-on is with your vote.

It doesn't have to feel like Life on Mars

by Gregg Small on September 10, 2020

Our climate movement is more unified than ever, but we're reaching a critical point where we must change a lot of things all at once. Let's do this…

3 ways to cope with the smoke

by Jonathan Lee on September 9, 2020

If you live west of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest, you likely woke up yesterday to an awful late-summer surprise (if you weren't under…

Roads ahead for clean transportation in Washington

by Leah Missik on March 19, 2020

Washington must address the climate pollution that comes from our largest source of it—transportation. 

What happened to our climate leadership?

by Vlad Gutman-Britten on March 17, 2020

Washington Senate Democrats allowed the most significant climate policy proposal this year—the Clean Fuel Standard—to languish and die.

2020 Washington State legislative session ends in climate failure

by Climate Solutions on March 13, 2020

Washington Senate Democrats handed veto power to a small minority of its caucus, and failed to take action to cut transportation pollution—ignoring a…

Senate Transportation Committee next to consider WA Clean Fuels bill

by Climate Solutions on February 25, 2020

Efforts to make available cleaner transportation fuels in Washington State move forward as bill passes out of a key Senate committee

Climate wins still possible in Washington Legislature

by Vlad Gutman-Britten on February 21, 2020

For climate progress and clean energy, here's where things stand with less than three weeks remaining in Washington’s legislative session.

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