House approves ‘meaningful step forward’ in reducing emissions

Bill’s passage maintains Washington’s prominent place at climate table

April 15, 2009

OLYMPIA – The state House of Representatives passed legislation early Wednesday morning to advance the emissions reductions targets set by the Legislature last year. Senate Bill 5735 targets two of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in the state – a coal-fired power plant, and the transportation sector.

“It’s not the bill we started the session with, but it represents a meaningful step forward,” said Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who chairs the House Ecology and Parks Committee. “We are the first state in the nation to apply an emissions performance standard to an existing coal-fired power plant, and it’s the plant responsible for 75 percent of our electrical sector emissions.”

Upthegrove introduced an amendment to the bill that reflected an agreement reached by the power plant, the Governor’s office, and the environmental community. It calls for TransAlta, the power plant, to cut emissions by 2025 by more than half of current levels. This moves their emissions reduction target up by 25 years, which Upthegrove described as “real progress.”

The bill also calls for the seven most populous counties in the state to plan future transportation investments that give people choices and alternatives to driving alone. The counties – King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Clark, Thurston, and Spokane – would be required to adopt plans tailored for them to meet reductions in vehicle miles traveled that were passed by the Legislature last year.

“We can’t meet our emissions reductions targets if we don’t address the transportation sector,” said Rep. Christine Rolfes (D – Bainbridge Island), vice-chair of the Ecology and Parks Committee. “But we have to give people viable alternatives. People aren’t clamoring to swap an hour-long commute by car for a two-hour commute by bus or rail.”

A couple of pilot projects established by the bill would further promote alternative transportation options. One would be a public-private partnership to set up alternative fuel stations around the state. The other would create a partnership among Washington, Oregon and California to create an electric vehicle corridor along the west coast, and use the states’ purchasing power to get more electric cars on the road.

In anticipation of a possible federal cap-and-trade program, both the Governor’s office and the Department of Ecology will remain involved at the federal and regional levels to represent Washington’s unique interests.

“President Obama has made it clear that he intends to work with Congress to develop a national cap-and-trade program,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “If Washington continues to lead, we will be positioned to influence the national discussion on climate change, and protect our state’s vital interests—which include our natural resources, our businesses and jobs. I congratulate the Legislators who worked tirelessly to get this legislation passed in the House.”

The final stop for the bill before heading to the Governor’s desk is the Senate, where the changes made by the House must be approved. Approval must take place before the Legislature adjourns on April 26.