Protecting our Planet šŸŒŽ

April 22, 2022

Dear friends and neighbors,

The global climate crisis has caused our state to experience unprecedented heat waves, catastrophic wildfires, and severe flooding. As a state legislator and as a mom, preserving the planet we leave behind for our kids is personal to me. On this Earth Day, I am proud of the work the legislature has done these past few years to lead the fight against climate change.

Climate Commitment Act

Last year, we began Washingtonā€™s transition to a cleaner, greener energy future by enacting carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This session we are accelerating implementation and ensuring Washingtonā€™s tribes have a larger role in charting the future. Weā€™ve now built a model for other states and countries to follow to reduce greenhouse gas pollution around the globe.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Pollution

We also made several budget investments to help reduce emissions, including more than $100 million to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure and another $57 million for solar energy infrastructure projects that beneļ¬t low-income communities.

I was also proud to co-sponsor or champion several bills to reduce greenhouse gas pollution throughout the state:

  • HB 1280 will ensure we consider clean all-electric building options for new public facilities.
  • HB 1619 will expand eļ¬€iciency standards in consumer appliances.
  • HB 1663 will reduce methane emissions from landļ¬lls.
  • HB 1799 will help keep organic waste out of our landļ¬lls and direct surplus food to food banks.
  • HB 1768 will make it easier to complete public energy conservation projects that pay for themselves with the energy savings.
  • SB 5722 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing large buildings.
  • SB 5910 will speed up the availability and use of renewable hydrogen.

Transformative Transportation Investments

Did you know that transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions? Thatā€™s why I am pleased that the legislature passed the Move Ahead WA package to make transformative, sustainable transportation and infrastructure investments in Washington communities over the next 16 years. These targeted investments will:

  • Reduce carbon emissions and expand safe, accessible, affordable options to get around by investing $5.4B in projects and programs to reduce greenhouse gas pollution through green transit, bike, and pedestrian investments;
  • Build a cleaner, safer, more reliable electrified ferry fleet and electric vehicle infrastructure, including $3B for increasing transit service. Weā€™ve also included funding so children under 18 can ride free on public transit (including ferries!).
  • Address the harm caused by past transportation policies by prioritizing historically disinvested neighborhoods, special needs transit grants, tribal investments, and workforce development supporting women- and BIPOC-owned businesses.

It is an honor to represent you in Olympia. Please donā€™t hesitate to reach out to me anytime if I can be of assistance at liz.berry@leg.wa.gov.

Best wishes,