2017: The highlights were pretty bright
Yes, 2017 was an awful year in many ways. But it was also a year of transition for climate action. We and many others affirmed our ability to make progress at the speed and scale our climate crisis demands.
2025 Legislative Session
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We’ve done a lot in Washington to advance our efforts to cut toxic air pollution, provide more options for efficient, clean energy, and create good in-state jobs. We know Washington voters want climate action—we’re coming off an incredible victory in 2024 by defeating I-2117 to protect the Climate Commitment Act.
Our Legislative work in 2025 will zero in on more ways we can continue to go big and reduce our climate pollution by half within the next five years. Addressing climate change has always been an enormous challenge, but our wins in Washington demonstrate that we can and we must keep building on our progress.
2025 Legislative Priorities
- Invest Climate Commitment Act revenue in deep pollution cuts: CCA dollars must be spent strategically to make sure we rapidly reduce pollution, meet our climate goals, and improve people's lives. In the first two years of CCA dollars, the Legislature funded the start of critical programs and helped grow others. We must continue these successes by funding programs like zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicle vouchers; instant EV rebates for Washingtonians living on low incomes; EV community and home charging; 100% clean school buses; heat pumps and more.
- Build on what’s working: We need to keep doing what we’re doing, while reviewing and assessing what can be improved. Examples: extend the WA EV sales tax waiver, which expires in July 2025; allow EV manufacturers to sell directly to consumers; implement charger reliability standards to make charging easier; support a clean maritime sector through port electrification grants and continuing hybrid electric ferry buildout; boost transmission capacity; require grid enhancing technologies; improve clean energy siting processes.
- Defend our progress: We’re no strangers to defending our climate progress;, this legislative session is no different. The Advanced Clean Truck rule has attracted the ire of the trucking industry and some truckmakers don’t want to follow the rules to get rid of dirty diesel—ACT is a critical tool for Washington to clean up diesel pollution from big trucks, vans, and buses, and help protect your lungs and neighborhood. We need to protect it!
We’re also working with the Environmental Priorities Coalition. You can read more about those priorities here.
Washington State Government
Clean fuels or better transit? A false choice for Washington
by Ross Macfarlane on
The oil industry doesn't like competition. That's why their lobbyists are working around the clock to stop Governor Inslee from adopting a…
Clean fuels help kids breathe easier, who’s opposed to that?
by Ben Serrurier on
Washington prides itself on our dense forests, clean water, and sweet air. But dirty petroleum fuels are fouling our future; our asthma…
Say no to public funding for coal export
by Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky on
Last month Washington State climate activists spoke out to stop an $85 million coal export project that would be funded with tax dollars. But now,…
US pledges carbon cuts while CA shrivels in drought
by Seth Zuckerman on
New solar and wind employment outpaces coal industry’s job losses, Ontario opts for cap-and-trade, yeast from sake-making may boost biofuels,…
Mexico, Norway pledge cuts in run-up to Paris talks
by Seth Zuckerman on
U.S. coal sector in ‘structural decline,’ sea level rise could pop $1.4 trillion real estate bubble, UK climate emissions drop 8 percent,…
The Washington State House budget needs climate action
by Jessica Finn Coven on
Our state budget should hold emitters accountable and invest in Washington communities. Our state budget should include the Carbon Pollution…
SB 5735: This bad bill is no win for the climate
by Ben Serrurier on
Climate and clean energy debates in Olympia this year are focused on two different proposals, but only one that addresses the climate…
Climate Change Success: Prospects and Impediments
by Jeremy Erdman on
On Thursday, March 26, Ken Kimmell, will outline the current state of climate change as well as the prospects and impediments for success…
CityClub March Civic Cocktail
by Jeremy Erdman on
This month's Civic Cocktail will feature special guest Mayor Ed Murray as well as a panel of experts discussing Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed…
Clean Fuel plan offers WA a triple win for climate, health and prosperity
by Ben Serrurier on
Washington's Department of Ecology issued a draft Clean Fuel Standard this week. If a program here mirrors successes in other states,…
Cheap crude hurts oil firms; clean energy unscathed
by Seth Zuckerman on
Germany stays on target in its transition to clean energy, U.S. poll shows half of Republicans and vast majorities of others want climate…
Broad coalition calls for action on climate change in WA
by Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy on
The Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, launched with a show of support for legislation to put a price on large-scale carbon emissions, …
Who's a polluter? This answer fails the smell test
by Ben Serrurier on
State Sen. Schoesler is very concerned that UW and WSU might have to pay for their carbon emissions under the Governor's carbon reduction plan.…
Game on for Bold Climate Action
by Elizabeth Willmott on
In December 2014, 37 local elected leaders from across Washington State sent a clear statement of support for bold state action on climate change and…
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2025 WA Policy Notes
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