Friends,
I want to thank you for taking the time to fill out my constituent feedback form. I received a lot of good feedback. I am looking through all of your responses and there are some interesting ideas. Expect more on this later.
In the meantime, I wanted to update you on some of the legislation we are working on this session.
A video update
I recently recorded a video update. I talk about my priorities and property tax relief for veterans and seniors. Areas like eastern King County have higher median incomes than other parts of the state. Click below to see how we are working to give relief to seniors and veterans to help them stay in their homes.
Climate bills are moving through the House
The science is clear: climate change poses significant risks to our economy, our health, our quality of life. The most recent National Climate Assessment, a federal report prepared by hundreds of scientists, details the disruptive impacts anticipated in the United States and the Pacific Northwest if we don’t take action now to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Several bills addressing climate that help move our state toward a cleaner future are making their way through the House. Here’s where they currently stand:
Clean Fuel Standard (HB 1110): Addresses our state’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions – the transportation sector. This represents nearly half – 45 percent – of our emissions. A clean fuel standard would improve local air quality and provide economic benefits to Washington communities by increasing demand for biofuels produced here. The bill advanced out of the Environment & Energy committee on January 24 and is now before the Transportation committee.
Phasing out super pollutants (HB 1112): Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are primarily used in commercial and industrial refrigerants. They are known as “super pollutants” because they can be thousands of times more damaging to our climate than carbon dioxide. This bill phases out HFCs in our state and transitions to alternatives. It was voted out of the Environment & Energy committee on January 24 as well and is now in the Appropriations committee.
Abiding by the Paris Climate Agreement (HB 1113): The Paris climate agreement was an unprecedented collaboration between almost every nation in the world to address the global threat of climate change. In 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the agreement. This bill simply aligns Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions limits with those established by the US’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. It had public hearings on January 15 and 17 and was passed out of the Environment & Energy committee last week.
100% Clean Electricity (HB 1211): Will help transition our state to a clean energy future by removing carbon emissions from the generation of electricity. Requires utilities to gradually transition away from fossil fuel-generated electricity, setting a preliminary “coal elimination” deadline of 2025, and a final “clean grid” deadline of 2045. The bill had a public hearing in the Environment & Energy committee on January 22 and is scheduled for possible executive session this week.
Increasing Energy Efficiency (HB 1257): Addresses the fastest-growing source of emissions in Washington – emissions from buildings. By retrofitting old buildings and updating standards for new ones, we can cut carbon emissions quickly and economically, while creating good-paying jobs. The bill had a public hearing this week in the Environment & Energy committee and is scheduled for possible executive session this week.
As always, you can contact me, or my Legislative Assistant Zach Hall, at Lisa.Callan@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7876. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Rep. Lisa Callan