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2024 Legislative Session

Washington is among a few unique states with commitments and strong laws to address the major sources of pollution including the grid, transportation fuels, and economy wide sectors. Our work now and in the future, will continue to focus on how we reduce emissions and who will benefit in the transition to clean energy.

Notably this session begins against the backdrop of 2023’s headlines that the Climate Commitment Act program generated a total revenue of $2.2 billion. Having the CCA actively working to make polluters pay and help fund clean energy in Washington is an extraordinary win for climate and our communities, but we will still need to ensure these dollars are invested wisely. Ultimately we may need to defend this law from detractors and opponents of climate action. 

We're nearly through this short session! Below is the latest on what we've been tracking in 2024. 

You can stay updated on all our legislative work by signing up for Washington emails and take action today by clicking here.

Download a copy of our 2024 Washington Legislative Climate Priorities.

CLEAN TRANSPORTATION 

100% Clean School Buses (HB 1368) + Budget ($80 M in CCA funding) 

*Environmental Priorities Coalition Priority 

Research shows that switching to zero-emission school buses improves kids’ health and performance in school by cutting diesel pollution. In tandem with the budget ask ($80 million of Climate Commitment Act revenue), this bill would set Washington on a pathway to 100% clean school buses and would accelerate the process by requiring new bus purchases to be zero-emission starting when the cost to own and operate a zero-emission bus is the same or less than a polluting bus (cost parity expected within five years or sooner).

The bill passed the House and Senate, After a final House concurrence vote, the bill is expected to head to the Governor's desk for his signature. 

2024 BUDGET PRIORITIES

Continuing to invest the Climate Commitment Act revenue wisely: 100% Clean School Buses and Clean Multi-family Housing 

Typically, a short session means less budget-focused work, as the biennial budget is set in long (odd-year) sessions. Ongoing revenue from the Climate Commitment Act revenue means there are additional funds to invest in climate priorities in the supplemental 2024 budget.

Multifamily Housing Decarbonization Program ($100M Operating Budget):

Low-income residents are the least able to transition off of gas, and for tenants of affordable, multi-family housing (MFH) it is largely up to building owners to transition to electric and efficient homes and appliances. Climate and clean building advocates are asking the Legislature to invest $100 million in affordable MFH housing incentives for energy efficiency upgrades and electrification retrofits (also currently in the Governor’s budget). This funding should be flexible and include outreach, planning, and technical assistance.

100% Clean School Buses ($80M Capital or Operating Budget):

We can fund the transition to zero-emission buses, help our schools, and improve our kids' health. Almost all of our 12,000+ school buses in Washington currently run on diesel, and diesel pollution causes cancer, contributes to lung and other chronic diseases, and triggers asthma attacks. Rep. Senn is leading the ask for $80 million to meet the need and growing demand for clean buses and ensure all kids can get a healthy and safe ride to school. This budget ask, as well as the accompanying legislation to mandate the transition, are a 2024 Environmental Priorities Coalition Priority.

NAVIGATING BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION BENEFITS & UTILITY PLANNING

Gas Utility Decarbonization (HB 1589)

This bill will ensure that PSE (our largest gas and electric utility) plans for the transition to clean energy, makes significant new programs available to help folks transition off of fossil gas, and creates opportunities for low-income people to access the clean energy transition. HB 1589 will require PSE to proactively plan to meet statutory requirements to decarbonize its system. Without this bill, PSE may continue planning its gas system to be reliant on fossil fuels indefinitely, resulting in stranded assets and higher costs for customers. 

Legislators in both houses passed this bill and reached concurrence. The bill is headed to Gov. Inslee for his signature.

Clean Buildings Navigator Bill (HB 1391)

With significant new clean energy incentives coming to Washingtonians from federal investments and the Climate Commitment Act, it is critical that the incentives are accessible and understandable, and that there is significant community outreach and input. This bill would create a one-stop shop and outreach campaign to do just that. 

This bill passed the House 58-39 but died in the Senate; its key provisions may be incorporated as a budget proviso. 

Thermal energy networks (HB 2131)

This bill would allow gas and electric utilities to explore the option to establish and operate thermal energy networks (also called TENS or networked geothermal), which are systems that can operate at a neighborhood scale to link together the energy systems for different buildings, distributing waste heat and energy throughout them using ground-source heat pumps. Thermal energy networks would allow customers to access the benefits of ground-source heat pumps (which are more efficient than air-source, and also can be more stable in colder climates) at lower cost, and also provide a way for gas utilities and their workforce to decarbonize, since TENS involve a system of water pipes that are fairly similar to gas pipelines. The bill would also establish a program for gas utilities to apply for Commerce grants to develop a pilot in their existing service territory.

The bill has passed both the House and Senate. 

Washington State Government

Washington moves one step closer to passing a Clean Fuel Standard

by Climate Solutions on

The Washington House of Representatives has passed a Clean Fuel Standard, which would align the state with its West Coast neighbors--expanding the…

We're raising the roof for 100% clean energy!

by Joëlle Robinson on

Today, thousands of Washingtonians are demanding climate solutions, in the form of clean electricity, clean fuels, and clean buildings.

Combined House and Regional Action Indicates Strong Momentum for Clean Fuels in WA

by Stephanie Noren on

a joint statement from Climate Solutions and Audubon Washington

Broad show of support for clean fuels for WA

by Stephanie Noren on

Testimony focused on increased job and economic growth opportunities, climate and public health benefits.

That’s right: we can have 100% clean electricity!

by Joëlle Robinson on

Washington is ready for 100% clean electricity—public hearings start this week!

Positioned to win: Northwest climate progress in 2019

by Gregg Small on

What’s ahead for major climate and clean energy action in the Pacific Northwest this year... and what it’s going to take to get there. 

The Good, the Tough, and the Just Getting Started

by Gregg Small on

A big election for climate and clean energy in the Pacific Northwest.

Let’s spread the word about I-1631... and make history!

by Joëlle Robinson on

Here are some of the ways to help pass Washington's I-1631: our clean air, clean energy initiative. How can YOU help? 

Oil allies mislead about the cost of I-1631. Shocking, right?

by Vlad Gutman-Britten on

Oil companies and their mouthpieces are claiming that I-1631 will hit consumers hard—that we can't afford clean air and healthy communities. The…

Is there a path out of this?

by Gregg Small on

As the season shifts, so does our determination to fight—and win—on climate and clean energy.

The path to 100% fossil-free electricity in Washington is within reach

by Climate Solutions on

Climate Solutions presents new research demonstrating the feasibility of a clean-energy Pacific Northwest power grid.

Tell Puget Sound Energy: let's keep it clean--support I-1631

by Joëlle Robinson on

We don't have a minute to lose in taking action on climate in Washington—and we need our energy utilities to stand with us for clean air and a stable…

Buses drive into the future with electric fleets

by Devon Downeysmith on

The transportation sector's immense contribution to global warming makes it a very important place to reduce emissions. That and more new climate and…

Give for a brighter future

Defending our Climate Commitments

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100 percent clean bus at Washington State Capitol

We're Past the Halfway Point

We’ve passed the halfway mark in Washington’s Legislative session. Check out our update on Climate Solutions’ top climate priorities, and where we need to apply pressure to make sure our lawmakers demonstrate climate leadership.
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