John,

We are nearing the end of the 2023 Washington legislative session, and the House and Senate just released their budget proposals. This is the first year that the Climate Commitment Act (CCA)--Washington’s groundbreaking law putting a price on carbon to fund climate action--is in effect. We have been analyzing how the funds generated by CCA might be used. This includes reducing pollution and supporting communities across three general areas:

1. Clean Energy and Transportation
2. Natural Climate Solutions
3. Environmental Justice and Tribal Sovereignty

Tell your legislators to prioritize investments that meet the climate needs of communities across the state!

Right now, legislators are working together to find agreement on a unified budget. This process begins when each chamber introduces their own version and then comes together to agree on a single budget package. The final budget should piece together the strengths in each of the budget proposals to hit the mark on a bold investment in climate action.

Here are more details on the strong funding components that should be included in a final budget deal:

 Clean Energy and Transportation:

• The House budget makes investments to switch your home heating system to cleaner heat pumps, electrify medium and heavy-duty trucks to reduce climate and air pollution, and creates jobs for retrofitting heating and electrical systems in public buildings.  

• The Senate budget funds home weatherization plus health assistance so that homes are more efficient and safer to live in. 

Natural Climate Solutions: 

• The Senate budget includes $83 million to sequester carbon in older state forests. It also provides funding to local counties and purchasing replacement lands to ensure predictable timber supplies for local mills. 

• The House budget includes funding to develop a strategy for carbon storage on natural and working lands. 

Environmental Justice and Tribal Sovereignty:

• Both budgets make historic investments in communities most impacted by climate change and pollution. From relocating Native villages inundated by sea level rise to improving the safety of workers in dangerous wildfire smoke and much more, these programs will be critical to our shared future. 

• The House budget provides funding to support self-determination for Tribal governments and communities as well as robust funding for implementing the HEAL Act, which will help to build healthier, less polluted communities around the state. 

• The Senate budget includes funding to support community-directed grants and more air quality monitoring to inform pollution reduction work.  

With your help, we can move forward with these bold and unprecedented funding this year. Tell your legislators your priorities for climate action now!

Thank you for all you do! 

Rebecca Ponzio (she/her)
Climate & Fossil Fuel Program Director
Washington Conservation Action

Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters are now unified under one brand, Washington Conservation Action.