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 Gov. Jay Inslee hosts a press conference to demand "radical transparency" of oil companies. He was joined by legislators and labor representatives for electrical workers, firefighters, and health care workers at Highline School District's bus yard in front of a row of new electric buses.
Gas prices have surged nationwide and in Washington state. Gas companies have deflected blame towards Gov. Jay Inslee's climate policies, saying "it's not their job to go bankrupt" by reducing emissions. Chevron issued the statement despite a $6.6 billion quarterly profit - more than double Amazon's first-quarter profits.
?We should not yield an inch to these rapacious oil and gas companies that are now using [the Climate Commitment Act] as an excuse,? said Inslee. ?Instead we should hold them accountable for their outrageous pricing. We?re not against profits but we?re against price gouging.?
Inslee and state lawmakers announced new efforts to require "radical transparency" of oil companies and gas prices Thursday in Burien. California Gov. Gavin Newsom inked similar legislation in March that created an independent watchdog group to check the industry for abusive pricing. Inslee and Sen. Joe Nguyen will lead exploration of similar mechanisms for Washington state.
Oil and gas conglomerates raked in??monster profits? last year, and first-quarter results for 2023?look even rosier. At the very same time, the planet cooked under the hottest month on record?and global carbon dioxide emissions reached new record heights.
Gas companies have known for 40 years that their product contributes to global catastrophe. In that time, they've made every effort to juice profits and extort their influence while expending near-zero effort to restrain emissions or innovate clean energy.
Washington's geography has always contributed to higher gas prices. The region is served by fewer pipelines and refineries, limiting supply. The region has also grown enormously and Washingtonians drive more than average, increasing demand.?Pipeline maintenance issues?also affected prices in June, according to AAA.
As the world burns, quarterly profits by oil and gas companies have soared beyond the stratosphere.
 Gov. Jay Inslee visited Spokane to celebrate the opening of the City Line, an electrified bus rapid transit route. The bus banner reads, "HOW A GREAT CITY MOVES."
Spokane's new City Line bus rapid transit (BRT) route began to operate last weekend. Buses run every 15 minutes on a six-mile route from Spokane Community College through downtown to the University District. The City Line boasts frequent timing, late hours, and zero emissions. The electric buses will also cleanly and quietly ease congestion downtown.
Gov. Jay Inslee and local officials gathered in Spokane this week for the grand opening.
"Where is the city that will stand up to decarbonize their transportation system so we can attack climate change," said Inslee. "The answer, I'm proud to say, is in Washington state. It's in Spokane this morning."
The City of Spokane has big plans for the area along the route. Inslee met with planning officials who have begun?the South Logan Transit-Oriented Development project that will use existing infrastructure, new transit, and new thinking to improve economic growth and connectivity in the neighborhood. The new City Line serves the Logan neighborhood and presents an opportunity for smart mixed-use development along the route.
Transit-oriented development and electrified mass transit are coming to many more Washington communities in the coming years, thanks in large part to revenue from the Climate Commitment Act. Under the program, polluters are effectively paying to improve public transit and slash emissions in Washington cities.
 Gov. Jay Inslee visited Rod's House in Yakima last July. The facility offers supportive services for youth at risk of homelessness, and recently received a helpful grant from the state Department of Commerce.
The state Department of Commerce last week announced a $40 million round of grants funding 112 local programs to reduce youth homelessness.?
The Blue Mountain Action Council is leading a rapid re-housing project in Walla Walla County. Partners in Prevention Education operates transitional housing in Thurston County. Rod's House in Yakima County offers supportive services to at-risk youth.?
Thanks to Commerce, these agencies and many more received vital funding to sustain youth-oriented programming. The department convened 60 young people, each with lived experience of homelessness, to prioritize investments in high-impact programs.
?Hearing from those we serve, particularly those with lived experience of the challenges we are addressing, is core to Commerce?s commitment to equity and transparency in our program design and funding decisions,? said Commerce's director Mike Fong. ?We are grateful for the time, passion and invaluable insights these young people contributed to make this a better and more inclusive process.?
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