Governor’s Climate Bill Passes State House

OLYMPIA - Governor Gregoire’s climate change bill (E2SSB 5735) passed the state House of Representatives early this morning on a 59 to 37 vote. The bill now returns to the state Senate, where it must be passed by April 26th. 

The bill accomplishes three important things to reduce Washington’s global warming pollution and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to a stronger clean energy economy: reducing traffic (and thus emissions) in congested urban areas, cleaning up Washington’s only coal plant, and keeping the state engaged in the Western Climate Initiative, a regional program to reduce global warming pollution. 

“While not the comprehensive approach that Washington needs, this bill makes significant progress in addressing two key parts of Washington’s climate pollution: the coal plant at Centralia and transportation,” said Becky Kelley of Washington Environmental Council. “Now, it’s up to the state Senate to deliver these important steps forward.”

By requiring regional transportation planning organizations in the state’s most urban areas to make it easier for people to choose to drive less, the bill would save time and money for Washington commuters, allowing people to get where they need to go faster.  It would also help speed and sustain Washington’s economic recovery by reducing the enormous economic impact of fossil fuel dependence; the state’s economy lost $16.6 billion in 2008 to import fossil fuels.

“Commuters and families are already voluntarily leaving their cars at home to save money,” said Dave Somers, Planning and Community Development Committee Chair, Snohomish County Council. “This bill will give these families more transportation choices to get around while increasing their quality of life. It reinforces the smart planning that cities and counties like Snohomish County are doing to save taxpayer dollars while reducing greenhouse gases.”

This bill requires that Washington’s only coal plant, the Transalta plant at Centralia, clean up its global warming pollution.  It would be required to reduce its emissions by at least 50% by no later than 2025, providing a strong incentive for new, cleaner energy technology.

“The transition to an efficient, clean-energy economy -- with reduced dependence on fossil fuels -- is critical for Washington’s economic future,” said Dr. James Holbery, founder and CEO of Grid Mobility, LLC, and adjunct professor at both Oregon State and Washington State Universities. “While this bill is not as comprehensive as needed, it makes progress toward developing cleaner power and providing transportation choices, both of which are critical for Washington’s economic health into the future.”

The bill also requires the state to tell major polluters the rate at which they will need to reduce their emissions to meet state law, directs the state to take steps to develop a “West Coast Green Highway”, and directs further development of carbon offsets in forestry and agriculture, pending a comprehensive pollution reduction system.

“This bill takes some significant steps, but Washington state still has more work ahead to deliver climate solutions and build the clean energy economy,” said Climate Solutions’ policy specialist Jessica Coven. “We will continue working with the Governor, business, labor, faith and other leaders to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and build Washington’s clean energy future.”