John, 

As we move into the second Trump administration, addressing dangerous pollution, supporting a thriving environment, and protecting the health of our communities requires bold action. We’ve been doing this work through the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC) for more than 20 years.

In the 2024 election, Washington voters made it clear they care about protecting people and nature as one: they upheld the state’s historic Climate Commitment Act and elected more state and local leaders who promote the environment. The EPC will maintain this powerful momentum in 2025! Leading on the environment is a winning issue in our state.

Pollution doesn’t take time off, and neither will we. And with a new federal administration committed to taking us backwards – from regulations to grants and support –  it’s more important than ever that we maintain our national leadership in conservation and environmental justice.

Washington’s 2025 legislative session starts January 13 and lasts 105 days. To meet this moment, the Environmental Priorities Coalition’s four priorities for 2025 are:

Protect Advanced Clean Trucks and Climate Progress
In President Trump’s first term in office, he rolled back more than 100 environmental laws and regulations. As he gears up for a second term, he has appointed an oil company executive to head the Department of Energy and an EPA Director with an extreme directive to deregulate and make polluters richer. Washington State will not follow that path, and we need steadfast leadership to safeguard vulnerable rules like the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, clean energy policies, and programs to lower costs by supporting energy efficiency in our homes and businesses.

Invest in Climate Action
62% of voters – a clear super majority – upheld the state’s program to reduce dangerous climate pollution and invest in clean air, public health, job creation, and transportation. As the state faces a large funding shortfall, we will make sure that budget writers uphold the people’s will. Climate funds should be used for their intended purpose. 

Sewage Spill Right-to-Know
Hundreds of sewage overflows occur every year.  Few are widely reported to the general public. Too often, the public only finds out about these spills when their local beach or fishing area is closed because of contaminated water. This legislation will create a public website and information system to improve public access to timely information about sewage releases in their communities.

The Recycling Reform Act (formerly the WRAP Act)
People are frustrated with excess packaging and plastic pollution. More than 50% of Washington’s consumer packaging and paper products are landfilled or incinerated, wasting an estimated $104 million in valuable materials. The Recycling Reform Act will require packaging and paper product companies and brands to fund our recycling system. This will bring consistent and accessible recycling to all state residents. It will reduce packaging and excess waste and create education programs to reduce confusion.

Washington Conservation Action is part of the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), which brings together more than 25 statewide environmental organizations to safeguard our environment and the health of our communities through policy and budget advocacy at the Washington State Legislature.

You will get more information on opportunities to support these priorities over the coming weeks. People power is how we make progress on these and other priorities in the legislature. You can make a difference by submitting comments and use our easy advocacy tools to affect positive change. If you’re down to protect the future by showing up, let us know that you’re in!

Onward,

Darcy Nonemacher (she/her)
Government Affairs Director, Washington Conservation Action