Synthesis is a 2-minute read to give you the quick hits of our recent work, to amplify our partners, and to share important environmental stories.

Hard work pays off: The legislature passed EPC priority: 100% Clean School Buses bill that electrifies school buses in Washington! Thanks to activists and supporters like you, this bill is on its way to Gov. Inslee’s desk to be signed into law. This bill advances our state’s climate goals. More importantly, electric buses reduce kids’ exposure to dangerous diesel pollution.

The $100,000 Bullitt Prize application officially opened on March 1! This life-changing prize will be awarded annually to an individual or collaborative group, from Washington State or the Pacific Northwest region if their work impacts Washington, are 35 years or younger and have demonstrated academic, professional, or grassroots leadership that advances conservation and environmental justice. Learn more and apply here.

As you may have heard, Ballot Initiative 2117 on the ballot this November seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Check out this article about the right-wing multimillionaire and the bad actors behind this effort. And why we must work together this November to Vote No on I-2117 to stop this senseless attack on our state’s landmark climate and polluter accountability law.

If it harms Tribes, it’s not clean energy. It’s environmental racism. On February 9, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released an environmental impact statement on the Goldendale Pumped Storage Project that acknowledges this harm to Tribes, and then ignores it. WCA and other environmental groups are opposed to this development that would permanently destroy sacred Tribal gathering grounds and cultural properties. Read more here.

The risks and costs of oil spills in the Salish Sea are high. Right now, WA Ecology is conducting a rulemaking that will establish financial responsibility requirements for certain oil (Class 1) facilities. Submit a comment to Ecology now through March 7 to make sure oil companies pay for their oil spills so it doesn’t fall on taxpayers!

An exciting win for clean air! EPA has adopted a stronger soot standard. The new standard is predicted to prevent thousands of early deaths and reduce the harmful health impacts nationwide. With this new cap, areas in and around cities such as Spokane, Yakima, and South Seattle will see improved air quality and health impacts. Read more here.

Did you know that Vancouver is one of 16 Washington communities with the heaviest burden of air pollution? More than 103,000 people in Vancouver live with elevated levels of dangerous air pollution. Air pollution is also linked to racial inequality, making it an environmental justice issue. In a letter to The Columbian, WCA's Climate and Clean Energy Senior Manager Caitlin Krenn explains how the Climate Commitment Act addresses this problem.

In February, Gov. Inslee announced $85 million in grants intended to fund nearly 5,000 new electric vehicle charging stations across the state! This funding is made possible by the Climate Commitment Act, our state’s polluter accountability law, and is an important step toward significantly reducing dirty vehicle emissions! Read more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Register now for our annual fundraiser: Spark, Powering Transformative Change happening on May 9, 2024 at the Museum of History and Industry. This is the year we’re defending our record of bold progress and action for people and the environment! Come hear from gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson, tour a world-class museum, eat mouth-watering food, and sip refreshing drinks together with our community.

Mark your calendars for the next Snake River Dinner Hour webinar! Join us on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:00 pm PST for the 2nd webinar of the series, ‘Culture + Recreation + Ecology = benefits of a restored lower Snake River’ to learn about what happens after we’ve restored the lower Snake River. What is the plan to protect cultural resources, improve recreational access, and restore the riparian ecosystems? Register here.

Calling all runners! WCA is honored to be selected as the beneficiary for the ultimate endurance challenge – Running Up For Air –at Tiger Mountain, Issaquah WA on March 9th. Join us for an unforgettable experience while raising awareness about the need for clean air and supporting our organization. Register now. 

STAFF CORNER: Stephanie Masterman (she/her)

"Living in coast Salish territory is special to me because I come from a coastal culture, I find much comfort and a true sense of home in the Salish communities, cultures, land, and sea."

As the Tribal Nations senior manager, Stephanie is responsible for leading the partnership work in WCA’s climate and forestry projects. Stephanie seeks to build strong relationships across the state with Tribal communities, organizations, and coalitions.

Outside of work, Stephanie spends lot's of time training in martial arts and playing with her dogs. She believes that movement and being active enhances both physical and mental health.