Thank your legislators for making environmental progress and urge them to be vigilant on climate action >>

John,

This week, our hearts are with everyone affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis in Washington and around the world. But we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what happened in the last 60 days while our state legislators were in session. Last night, the 2020 legislative session ended with some important environmental progress, but two critical climate action bills did not pass.

Over the last few months, we have worked together during a whirlwind of a short session. With your help, we were able to pass two out of four priority bills and keep building momentum on work to protect salmon and orcas.

What we won:

• Reduce Plastic Pollution (SB 5323/HB 1205): This landmark bill eliminates single-use plastic carry-out bags. Washington state has become the ninth state in the nation to pass a statewide policy addressing this chronic source of plastic pollution via the legislature. The bill passed with strong bi-partisan support by a vote of 67-29 in the House, and a vote of 35-15 in the Senate.
• Climate Pollution Limits (HB 2311): Climate action requires carbon reductions across the board and deep investments in healthier natural landscapes—shorelines, forests, and farms. HB 2311 updates the state’s greenhouse gas limits to reflect current science and investing in nature-based solutions like trees and soils to capture excess carbon. The bill passed the House with a vote of 55-41 and the Senate with a vote of 28-21.
• Healthy Habitat, Healthy Orcas (HB 2550 and budget directive): After decades of development-related habitat loss it is clear the state’s policy of no net loss simply isn’t working. Salmon runs are down 90% and we continue to lose 800 acres a year of vital forest land and habitat in the Puget Sound region. The newly adopted budget directs a group of experts to shape a plan to achieve a “net ecological gain” standard, which will protect and restore habitat across the state. This continues important work on this key Orca Task Force recommendation to restore salmon runs and protect our gravely threatened orca populations.

Despite these wins, the Senate failed to pass two essential bills on climate change: the Clean Air Act Authority bill and a Clean Fuel Standard. The update of the state’s greenhouse gas limits will only work if we have the right tools to be able to achieve them, something the Senate failed to accomplish this year.

Washingtonians across the state have made it clear: we want climate action. The public overwhelmingly supports bold action to address climate change, and we can’t afford to delay.

Please thank your legislator for helping to pass some important environmental wins this session and urge them to be vigilant on strong climate action.

I am grateful for your support, and thank you for the great work this legislative session!

We hope you are staying healthy and safe,

Darcy Nonemacher
Government Affairs Director

P.S. Check out the Environmental Priorities Coalition press release for the full list of bills passed this session.