What a strange legislative session it is shaping up to be in Olympia. Most hearings will be virtual, limiting how many bills legislators intend to hear throughout the session. Monday was the only day that legislators planned to meet in person—behind high fences, not because of the pandemic, but because of the threat of a repeat of what happened last Wednesday at the federal Capitol.

Nevertheless, we are entering this session with the optimism and the tenacity you'd expect from us. To quote from our legislative preview:

"2021 poses a unique opportunity not only to address climate change, but also to tackle long-term systemic racism and the public health crises that are disproportionately impacting people of color across the nation. We can invest in a clean and just recovery by transitioning to a clean energy economy that puts people, health, and our climate first and continues to demonstrate our state’s strength and leadership in the region."

You can make an impact right now: sign in for the Clean Fuel Standard's first hearing

Thursday, Jan. 14 at 1:30pm, the Clean Fuel Standard gets its first hearing of 2021 before the House Energy & Environment Committee. You can 'sign in' as supporting the bill without testifying, just as normally would in Olympia. You can also submit written testimony. Please sign in pro on HB 1091 or send in your supportive written testimony! 

Once you click the link, here is what you do:

• Select the Environment & Energy committee and the 1/14 1:30pm meeting in the drop downs at the top of the page.
• A list of agenda items will pop up – click HB 1091
• Select “I would like my position noted for the legislative record” OR “I would like to submit written testimony” depending on what you want to do
• Fill out the form on the next page

Between COVID19, the biggest recession of a generation and a global movement for racial justice, we know that next legislative session is going to be busy. But climate change isn’t waiting, and we need a strategy that can get important legislation, like a Clean Fuel Standard, through the legislature. 

Thanks for all you do and looking forward to working with you.