John,

Wildfires. Air pollution. Climate disasters. You and I know that climate change is not something looming in the future: the climate crisis is here now. And 2020 is the year to continue to work to take action on climate.

The Washington State Legislature started to address the back-log of climate legislation in 2019 with the passage of 100% clean electricity, clean buildings, and increased investments in electrification. But the job is not done. We must continue that momentum as legislative session starts on Monday, January 13.

Contact your legislators today: Ask them to take action for climate this session!

This year, we want to make sure that our climate pollution limits are science-based and start the work of cleaning up our transportation system. 

Key bills in play include:

• Climate Pollution Limits (HB 2311): Climate action requires carbon reductions across the board and deep investments in healthier natural landscapes—shorelines, forests, and farms. This means setting credible and ambitious climate pollution limits, providing clear direction to meet these limits, and investing in nature-based solutions to capture carbon.
• Clean Fuel Standard (HB 1110): Transportation is our #1 source of climate pollution here in Washington. This bill would establish a clean fuel program to limit greenhouse gas emissions per unit of transportation fuel sold in the state.
• Transportation For All: Washington needs a clean and equitable transportation network that reduces climate pollution, improves community health, creates economic opportunity, and creates sustainable alternatives to congestion. This bill updates Washington’s transportation goals to include climate, health, and equity, and requires projects to be evaluated against a set of metrics for a just transportation system.
• Zero Emission Vehicles (SB 5811): Consumers in Washington don’t have access to zero emission vehicles right now because we lack the requirement here to have them available. This bill would increase the availability of these vehicles.

This is a fast and short session: Hearings are already lined up on these priorities, so contact your legislator today and ask them to lead on climate.

This year, we must prioritize climate bills like Climate Pollution Limits, Clean Fuel Standard, Transportation For All, and Zero Emission Vehicles. Climate action is needed and 2020 is the year to continue the work.

Thanks for all you do,

Rebecca Ponzio
Climate and Fossil Fuel Program Director