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Oregon and California lead on climate with clean fuels. What about Washington?

As I reflect this Thanksgiving on the gifts in my life and the goodness in the world, I am aware that with great abundance comes great responsibility.

Washington has a great responsibility to continue to lead on climate and we have a great opportunity to do so right now. Our legislature is gathering for a few days of meetings November 20-22. As they gather in Olympia for these Legislative Days to prepare for the 2020 legislative session, we want them to know we are counting on them to be leaders for strong climate solutions—especially with transportation pollution. 

Please weigh in now to tell your legislators that the Clean Fuel Standard is the top climate bill this session.

Last year the House of Representatives passed a Clean Fuel Standard, but it stalled in the Senate. It is a powerful solution that would clean our air, give us more clean fuels choices, and create economic development opportunities -by reducing the carbon intensity of fuels 20% by 2035.    

Transportation is responsible for nearly half of our climate and air pollution in Washington. While we are already experiencing climate impacts close to home, we have a window to accelerate big solutions and rapidly transition to electricity and cleaner fuels to move people and goods around in our communities. The oil industry hates this idea and we know they are working hard to reach legislators with misinformation and fear to distract and stall this solution. Makes sense since they have a monopoly on our fuel sources and don’t want that to change.  

Let your three legislators know that you want them to lead on climate and ensure we pass a strong Clean Fuel Standard this session.

If they voted for it last session in the House, they will want to see the Senate follow through on their hard work. If they’re in the Senate, they should be ready to lead on their side to get the job done now—not later. We need to continue to do big, bold things on climate in Washington. With our state on the pathway to a 100% clean grid, we can electrify most of our transportation sector and transition everything else to other clean fuels. 

Please take a moment to tell your legislators that climate is a top issue for you and you’re expecting them to act!
 
The clock ran out last session to get this done, so let’s finish this business now before the clock runs out on chance to act on climate!

 

Author Bio

Joelle Robinson
Joëlle Robinson

Field Director, Climate Solutions

Joëlle engages community members and diverse constituencies—faith, health, youth, parents, business—to make their voices heard for climate solutions. She led the team of organizers to ensure we stopped any coal export from the U.S. West Coast over the past decade. On offense, she co-led the Field team to help pass the 100% Clean Electricity (Clean Energy Transition Act in 2019) and in 2022 collaborated with the Field team to ensure that all new buildings (commercial and residential) will be built with heat pumps per the State Building Code Council. She continues to conspire for good with them on many other local and state initiatives.

Joëlle was the Regional Outreach Coordinator of National Wildlife Federation where she focused on mobilizing hunters, anglers and concerned citizens around solutions to global warming. Previous work with Climate Solutions includes the NW Climate Connections partnership, serving as the Field Assistant for the successful Clean Cars campaign, and Field Director of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which passed in April 2006.

She previously served on the boards of Earth Ministry, Solar Washington, and Sierra Club Executive Committee. She’s currently President of the board of her 3 year-old!

Joëlle is Northwest born and raised who loves to hike, dance, travel and explore the natural world.

Her favorite quote is “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” —  Mary Oliver

Give for a brighter future

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