Environmental Priorities

In Washington, we take pride in the diversity of our natural resources and the quality of life we enjoy. With our ocean, rivers, mountains, Puget Sound and our inland desert, it’s important that that natural resources, environmental quality, clean energy and energy efficiency remain as our top priorities. Our efforts have been recognized nationally by Forbes.com, which ranks Washington as America’s third "greenest" state.

2009 Top Accomplishments

• State government leads by example: We directed that state agencies lead by example in energy efficiency by phasing in fuel efficient state vehicles and making state buildings more energy efficient. (Sen. Ranker, SB 5560)

• Weatherization and green jobs: An accelerated weatherization effort will target the reduction of energy consumption by retrofitting 20,000 homes and buildings across the state. 
(Sen. Rockefeller, SB 5649)

• Energy efficiency codes: We lowered energy costs by strengthening energy codes for new buildings and assessing energy performance through benchmarking.
(Sen. Kilmer, SB 5854)

• Tax exemption on renewable energy: We repealed the sales exemption on hybrid vehicles and instead funded an extension of the sales tax exemption on equipment used to create renewable energy. We passed additional renewable energy incentives.
(Sen. Hobbs, SB 6170)

• Critical Line of Defense: We now require large vessels such as oil tankers, cargo vessels & cruise ships to pay for constant readiness of the Neah Bay oil spill prevention tug to prevent environmental catastrophe in Washington waters. (Sen. Ranker, SB 5344)

• Coordination of clean energy efforts: We created a collaborative framework for clean energy development in Washington. This will focus on getting Washington’s energy policies, technologies, and capital all moving in the same direction. (Sen. Rockefeller, 5921)

• Stream adjudication: We addressed how to proceed with large court cases to determine water rights by modernizing the 1917 water code provision for general stream adjudication.
(Rep. Blake, HB 1571, companion Sen. Rockefeller, SB 5533)

2008 Accomplishments

Limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: In an effort to reduce GHG emissions, the state Department of Ecology will develop and recommend a multi-sector market-based system for legislative authorization. As part of this strategy the state Department of Transportation will provide recommendations for reducing vehicle miles traveled. A green jobs initiative was also established to train and transition workers to clean economy jobs. (Rep. Dunshee, HB 2815 — companion bill Sen. Pridemore, SB 6516)

Emissions labeling on new motor vehicle sales: Starting with 2010 models, motor vehicles for sale will display a GHG emissions label. These labels will follow a rating system that compares the vehicle's GHG emission levels with the average GHG emissions levels of all vehicles offered for sale in the same model year. (Sen. Rockefeller, SB 6309)

Public Utility District (PUD) public/private renewable energy partnerships: Authorizes PUDs to enter agreements with private parties to finance, construct and operate renewable energy generating projects. This gives PUDs the benefits of federal tax incentives and it lowers energy costs to consumers. (Rep. Takko, HB 2639)

Reduction of toxics in children's products: Bans the manufacture, knowing sale or distribution of toxic children’s products. (Rep. Dickerson, HB 2647— companion bill Sen. Regala, SB 6530)

Urban tree planting: The new Evergreen Cities program provides cities and counties with better information to protect and increase urban trees to help reduce storm water flooding and pollution and increase the quality of life. (Rep. Kagi, HB 2844 — companion bill Sen. Murray, SB 6469)

2007 Accomplishments

Creation of the Puget Sound Partnership: This new state agency directs a comprehensive effort to restore Puget Sound through an action agenda to achieve the goal of a healthy Sound by 2020. (Sen. Rockefeller, SB 5372)

Removal of derelict vessels from marine waters: An additional $1 surcharge is added to annual vessel registration fees to help fund the removal of a backlog of derelict vessels in state waters. Money was also set aside in the state budget for vessel cleanup. (Sen. Rockefeller, SB 6044)

Encouraging reclaimed water projects: Reclaimed water facilities must be considered when planning new water supply infrastructure. (Sen. Fraser, SB 6117)

Climate emission reduction goals: Established climate emissions reduction goals for 2020, 2035 and 2050 and set GHG emission standards for new thermal electric generating facilities. (Sen. Pridemore, SB 6001)

Mitigation of GHG emissions from municipal utilities: Authorizes local governments to spend ratepayer funds for climate mitigation. (Rep. Hurst, HB 1929 — companion bill Sen. Kilmer, SB 6046)

Promotion clean fuels and clean energy: This comprehensive legislation expandes clean diesel programs for school buses, encourages state vehicles to use fuels that are alternatives to fossil fuels and directs climate change assessments and vehicle electrification studies. (Rep. Dickerson, HB 1303 — companion bill Sen. Murray, SB 5586)

Ban on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) chemicals: Phases out the sale and distribution of PBDE chemicals in electronic and upholstered furniture products. (Rep. Hunter, HB 1024 — companion bill Sen. Regala, SB 5034)

The WA Wildlife and Recreation Program is funded at $100 million: This doubles the state’s appropriation for this highly competitive program, funding 135 new state and local parks, protected shorelines and wildlife habitat plus the states’ first-ever funding for a farmland preservation program. (Capital budget)

2006 Accomplishments

Renewable fuel 2 percent standard established: Total gasoline sold by distributors in the state must comprise at least 2 percent ethanol sales, and 2 percent of the diesel fuel sold must be biodiesel. By 2009, state agencies will be required to ensure that 20 percent of their diesel purchases are biodiesel. (Sen. Rasmussen, SB 6508 — companion bill Rep. Holmquist, HB 2738)

Creation of the Energy Freedom Program: This program will assist growing a viable bioenergy industry in the state, by promoting public research and development in bioenergy sources and markets, and by supporting a viable industry to grow and refine bioenergy crops. (Rep. Grant, HB 2939)

Electric utility planning: Utilities will prepare Integrated Resource Plans which will outline how projected power needs will be met, including green power. (Rep. Morris, HB 1010)

Expansion of net metering program: Net metering allows electricity customers to offset their consumption of purchased electricity with electricity generated by their own small-scale renewable system. (Rep. Morris, HB 2352)

Columbia River Basin Water Supply Program: Authorizes $200 million over 10 years for projects that address waste needs for people, farms and fish on the mainstreams of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. (Rep. Grant, HB 2860)

Addressing on-site sewage disposal in marine waters: Local health officers in 12 Puget Sound counties are directed to develop management plans to clean up marine recovery areas where failing on-site systems pollute marine waters. (Rep. Hunt, HB 1458)

Oil spill prevention, preparedness and response: Adopts procedures for evaluating oil spill contingency plans and performing random drills on vessels without notice. (Sen. Rockefeller, SB 6244)

E-Waste Recycling: Requires manufacturers of TVs, computers and monitors offered for sale in Washington to register with the state and to implement and finance e-waste recycling at no cost to consumers who drop off e-waste at collection points. (Sen. Pridemore, SB 6428)

2005 Accomplishments

Motor vehicle clean emissions standards: Adopts California’s clean vehicle emission standards. (Rep. Murray, HB 1397 — companion bill Sen. Rockefeller, SB 5397)

Green buildings standards: Requires state buildings to be designed and constructed to meet high-performance “green” buildings standards. Certain exemptions apply. (Sen. Poulsen, SB 5509 — companion bill Rep. Dunshee, HB 1272)

Appliance energy efficiency standards: Establishes minimum energy efficiency standards which apply to 12 electrical products that are not covered by federal law. (Rep. Morris, HB 1062 — companion bill Sen. Sen. Poulsen, SB 5098)

Renewable energy installation incentives: Permits individuals or businesses installing solar, wind or anaerobic digesters to receive cost recovery from utilities. Also provides a tax credit to utilities (Sen. Poulsen, SB 5101) and manufacturing tax incentives. (Sen. Morton, SB 5111)

Cleanup of contaminated soils in child play areas. (Upthegrove HB 1605 — companion bill Sen. Kohl-Welles, SB 5125)

Creation of the citizen based Oil Spill Advisory Council: The purpose of this council is to monitor and assess the state’s oil spill prevention and response programs. (Sen. Spanel, SB 5432)

Expansion of WA Wildlife and Recreation Program. Adds two funds categories for riparian habitat and farmland preservation. (Sen. Fraser, SB 5396)

rust Land Transfer Program is funded at $73.5 million: This program provides a double benefit by immediately funding school construction, purchasing timberland that will generate more revenue and put sensitive lands into conservation status. (Capital budget)