Washington State takes steps to strengthen Clean Air Rule, cut emissions

DENNIS S HURD

February 26, 2016

This morning the Washington State Department of Ecology announced that they are postponing their process on the Clean Air Rule to incorporate feedback they have heard from a variety of stakeholders including climate, health, and clean energy advocates. Since they plan to now make significant changes given that feedback, they are required to withdraw the proposed rule and reissue a new draft.

We think this is a great opportunity to make the Clean Air Rule stronger, and we support Governor Inslee and the Dept. of Ecology’s thoughtful approach to this important challenge. A strong carbon rule has the opportunity to accelerate Washington’s transition to a clean, sustainable economy. Done well, it will drive real job creation while improving public health outcomes for communities that live near sources of pollution such as highways and smokestacks. This would be an important step for Washington, and making sure the rule is a strong as possible matters.

Additions like an aggregate, economy-wide cap would ensure that reductions from all sectors of the economy are real and permanent. Carefully limiting the use of carbon offsets would make sure that the rule drives private investments that meaningfully slow climate change by making actual cuts to pollution.

We stand ready to roll up our sleeves with Governor Inslee and the Department of Ecology and the public on a Clean Air Rule that supports our economy, protects individual and public health, and speeds adoption of clean technologies.

Author Bio

Vlad Gutman-Britten

former Washington Director, Climate Solutions

Vlad was Washington State Director until 12/1/21. He brought varied and deep experience in policy, advocacy, and campaign politics to his work at Climate Solutions.

Before coming to Climate Solutions, Vlad was Senior Policy Director for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, where he successfully secured tens of millions of dollars in state investment in habitat and recreation lands. He was previously a key part of issue advocacy and communications efforts for large companies, including Microsoft and GE, and before that served as AIPAC's Deputy Midwest Political Director. A veteran campaign operative, he has run congressional and state legislative campaigns and worked on races ranging from mayoral to presidential.

Vlad is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he received a degree in political science. In his free time, Vlad bikes, listens to everything from opera to folk music, and smokes whatever fish or meat fits into his smoker. He is soon off to New York City to start a new adventure as the Assistant Director for Policy and Markets at NYSERDA, New York State's energy agency.