Environment and Green Energy
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KEY FACTS
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House Democrats remain committed to a sustainable “Evergreen Legacy” for our state, and recognize our potential for becoming a national and world leader in green energy solutions that will power our future.
Transit Oriented Communities (HB
1490)
Helps us
integrate planning for climate change at the local level and utilize the
public investment in infrastructure for the new light rail line. Light rail
will change the communities it goes through. This is our opportunity to
shape that development to protect access to affordable housing, minimize
impacts to existing neighborhoods, and drive the sorts of density around
these stations that will support the success of mass transit.
Low-Income Home Weatherization (HB 1060)
Updates the
state’s weatherization programs to bring them into the 21st century. The
low-income home weatherization program has successfully upgraded households
around the state and brought down people’s energy bills. Federal stimulus
money for weatherization is on the way, and now we’re able to spend those
funds with maximum flexibility and for new sustainable technologies.
Transfer of Development Rights (HB 1172)
Creates an
exciting opportunity to involve the private market in conserving our local
farms and the environment. These voluntary programs operate by allowing
rural landowners to permanently protect their lands and sell the development
potential of those lands into urban areas. The farmer gets additional money
to keep their land in farming, an urban developer trades the purchased right
for additional options for their new project, and cities can help maintain
the character of their communities.
Neah Bay Rescue Tug (HB 1409)
Provides continuing
protection against catastrophic oil spills in the Strait of Juan de Fuca by
requiring large vessels that transit the Strait to pay for it. Since 1999,
the state has shouldered the $3.6 million per year cost. In that time, the
tug has been called out 42 times to rescue cargo and container ships,
fishing vessels, tugs with barges, and oil tankers. The rescue tug functions
in much the same way a fire engine does - standing ready to assist vessels
that lose power or are otherwise disabled and risk running aground.
Groundings are a major cause of spills around the world. A catastrophic oil
spill is the #1 threat to the continued existence of our resident orca
whales.
Investing in Clean Water (HB 1614)
Establishes a fee
on petroleum products to clean up storm water pollution in our rivers, lakes
and marine areas. Petroleum is the single largest contributor to storm water
pollution. Contamination from petroleum products in surface water runoff
accounts for up to ninety percent of the pollution load in Washington's
water bodies.
Habitat Open Space (HB 1484)
Expands the Riparian
Open Space Program to include acquisition of forest lands containing
critical habitat for threatened or endangered species. This allows
qualifying landowners to apply to donate or sell their land and/or timber in
designated forest land that exists along migrating stream channels.
Reclaimed Water Permitting (HB 1482)
Simplifies the
reclaimed water permitting program. Such streamlining should make reclaimed
water projects easier to develop, safeguarding our precious and scarce water
supplies.
Walla Walla Water Management Pilot (HB 1580)
This
pilot project establishes a water management partnership to develop local
water agreements to enhance stream flows while allowing flexible water
management. It is a step forward in working together to deal with often
contentious and complex water issues.
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions (SHB 1819)
Creates the criteria for a cap on carbon emissions. It specifies the
emissions covered in the cap, and it requires an independent economic
analysis of the impact to Washington consumers, businesses, and citizens if
Washington entered into a regional or federal cap-and-trade program. It also
sets reporting requirements for fuels.
Energy Independence Act (HB 1133)
Expands the
existing Energy Freedom Program to address efficiency, renewable energy, and
innovative technology markets. It also allows federal funds to be used in
the state’s Energy Freedom Account.
Sustainable Energy Trust (HB 1007)
Provides loans to
property owners for energy efficiency improvements and small scale renewable
energy generation.
Efficiency First (HB 1747)
Updates our public
building codes to reflect our policy of reduced emissions over the long-term
future. Would require utilities to record and disclose energy consumption
data for both public buildings and non-public, non-residential buildings.
Electric Vehicles (HB
1481)
Encourages faster
deployment of electric vehicles in Washington by providing exemptions for
building infrastructure to supports these vehicles. It sets targets for the
state to increase electric vehicles in its fleet. It also directs the Puget
Sound Regional Council and Washington State Department of Transportation’s
public-private partnership office to seek federal funds to assist in
attracting and supporting these “green” cars.
RESOURCES
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Natural resource and environmental bills are first considered in several committees: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Environmental Health, Ecology and Parks , Technology, Energy and Communications or others. You can sign up for agenda updates here.
LINKS
Senate: Water, Environment, and Energy Committee
State Department of Agriculture
State Department of Natural Resources
State Parks and Recreation Commission