2023 Washington State Legislative Session

2022 Washington State Legislative Session

2021 Washington State Legislative Session

Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act – SB 5141 – PASSED

Senate voted 28-21, House voted 56-41

Your race, income, language ability, or zip code should not determine how healthy and safe you are. But individual health and well-being indicators can vary significantly according to who we are and where we live. The HEAL Act is a recommendation from the Environmental Justice Task Force, and adds an essential racial equity lens to the environmental program work done by the state. Everything from culturally appropriate public engagement to how implementation and enforcement of environmental protections is conducted to funding prioritization will be strengthened to better serve the public. Many thanks to Front and Centered for their leadership on this bill!

HEAL Act factsheet – Front & Centered

Clean Fuels Now – HB 1091, SB 5231 – PASSED

House voted 52-46, Senate voted 27-20

The transportation sector is responsible for nearly half of our climate and air pollution in Washington. We need our transportation to be clean, affordable, and accessible. A Clean Fuel Standard will require fuel producers and importers to address pollution from the fuels that power our transportation system by reducing the carbon intensity of fuels and investing in low-carbon choices like electricity and local, sustainable biofuels. It is a tested and effective policy that would clean our air, give us more options to fuel our vehicles (such as electricity and local renewable biofuels), create economic development, cut climate pollution, and move us beyond oil.

The final version of the bill that passed requires a 20% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2038. 50% of utility revenue must be invested in transportation electrification projects, with 60% of that going to overburdened communities, and the other 50% will be directed by the state toward programs and projects that decarbonize transportation.

Clean Fuel Standard factsheet – Environmental Priorities Coalition

Additional Bills Earth Ministry/WAIPL Supported:
Billy Frank Jr. Statue Nomination – HB 1372, SB 5419 – PASSED

House voted 92-5, Senate voted 44-5

Few have made as profound of an impact while overcoming adversity like Nisqually tribal member Billy Frank Jr. This bill would recognize Billy’s important contributions by selecting him to be one of Washington state’s statutes in the National Statuary Hall.

Billy advocated not just for the treaty right to harvest salmon, but also the tribal right to co-manage salmon and the habitat and ecosystems they depend on. His story (read more here) is one that highlights the contributions of Native people who have lived here and stewarded the natural resources since time immemorial. Billy dedicated his life to the need to honor and uphold treaty rights, the importance of salmon recovery and habitat restoration, and the need for people to work together and co-manage resources. Honoring Billy is also important as our state and nation continues to acknowledge and apologize for decades of violence and oppression the federal and state governments perpetuated against Indian people and sovereign tribal nations.

Clean Cars 2030 – HB 1204 – amended on to HB 1287 – PASSED

House voted 65-31, Senate voted 25-23

Clean Cars 2030 provides that all new light-duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later must be electric to be registered in Washington. Model year 2029 and earlier gasoline-powered cars can still be bought, sold and registered. The bill will cause a gradual, smooth, and certain transition to vehicles powered by clean electricity, eliminate our biggest source of carbon and air pollution, and keep billions of dollars in state that we now spend on oil from other states and countries. Our partners at Coltera state that “the 2030 target will be integrated into planning and financial decision-making by a broad group of government, automaker, utility, and other stakeholders. It will take full effect when 75 percent of vehicles on the road are subject to a road usage charge, a development which is expected within the next several years.”

Clean Cars 2030 Factsheet – Coltura

Reducing Plastic Pollution & Improving Recycling Bill – SB 5022, HB1118 – PASSED

Senate voted 32-17, House voted 73-24

This bill addresses the plastics/recycling problem on two levels: it mandates increased recycling of plastics packaging and materials that are readily recyclable and it will also reduce problematic single-use plastic products that are not readily recyclable in our curbside system. It will address the management of certain materials to support recycling and reduce waste and litter by…

• Establishing a recycled content standards for bottles, trash bags, and jugs for beverages and household cleaning and personal care products, meaning that these products must contain postconsumer recycled plastic, from a minimum of 15% by weight in 2023 to 50% by 2031.
• Banning expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) coolers, food service products, and packing peanuts as of June 1, 2023.
• Requiring that restaurants and food service businesses provide straws, utensils, condiment packages and beverage cup lids only on request or in self-serve bins.

Factsheet on SB 5022 – Zero Waste WA

Growth Management Act Update “WA Can’t Wait”

Bills under the Washington Can’t Wait campaign answer the need for a new, comprehensive climate solution to build more resilient communities, from flood protection to transit, clean water to wildfire prevention. These updates to the Growth Management Act will ensure that every community is healthy, has clean air, access to transportation, and is climate-resilient.

Climate: HB 1099 – did not pass, House voted 56-41

This bill requires that the ten largest/fastest growing Counties/Cities plan for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions/vehicles miles traveled according to state goals for these measures. Additionally, the bill would require resiliency planning for all cities and counties to identify and protect areas most likely to be impacted by climate change or to mitigate against climate change

Housing: HB 1220 – PASSED, House voted 57-39, Senate voted 25-24

This update to the GMA is focused on ensuring that cities are planning for housing available to families at all income levels, with a special focus on addressing racial disparities and fighting displacement of low-income communities and communities of color. The bill will require cities to have a plan and timeline for addressing racial disparities and exclusionary policies in their housing plans. Additionally, cities will identify places of high displacement risk and implement anti-displacement policies.

Salmon: HB 1117 – did not pass, House voted 58-38

This bill would require that salmon be included in front-end planning undertaken under the Growth Management Act. It defines compensatory mitigation and net ecological gain as measures of salmon protection and mandates that these be covered in land use, critical areas, and transportation plans as of January 2024. 

Healthy Homes, Clean Buildings Act HB 1084, SB 5093 – did not pass

To meet our state’s climate pollution targets, the Healthy Homes & Clean Buildings Act includes many important elements to gradually phase out fossil fuels in our buildings, addressing emissions from new and existing buildings, removing statutory preferences for gas in favor of clean affordable energy, prompting gas utilities to develop plans for meeting the state’s climate pollution targets, and setting up a program to develop the market for efficient electric appliances.

Clean Buildings Factsheet – Climate Solutions

WA STRONG Act SB 5373, HB 1513 – did not pass

The WA STRONG Act makes billions of dollars immediately available for resilient infrastructure projects by putting an economy-wide price on greenhouse gas emissions so that the state can sell bonds based on that revenue. As a result, funding we desperately need to put thousands of Washingtonians back to work can be accessed right away without impacting the state’s deficit or limiting funding for other climate or economic recovery initiatives. With environmental justice considerations woven into the entirety of the bill, the WA STRONG Act ensures that these investments will be directed to rural areas and communities of color who have suffered the most from climate disasters and the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Factsheet on WA Strong – Carbon WA

Clean and Just Transportation – did not pass

Since transportation produces the largest amount of toxic climate pollution, the Clean and Just Transportation priority is rooted in effective solutions to reduce pollution and make it easier to get around. This priority seeks to create a holistic transportation system with new revenue and investments that focuses on accessibility for all users, prioritizes equity, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.

A Clean and Just Transportation Package:

• Ensures 35% of investments in environmental justice priority areas
• Increases travel by healthy, sustainable modes of transportation
• Transitions us to clean transportation
• Ensures current transportation assets are safe, efficient, and modernized

Clean and Just Transportation factsheet – Environmental Priorities Coalition

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2020 Washington State Legislative Session

Top Priority:
Clean Fuels Now – E2SHB 1110, SB 5412 – did not pass

Jan 29: HB 1110 Passed the House 52-44
Feb 25: E2SHB 1110 Passed Senate Environment Committee

This bill requires a 20% reduction in carbon intensity of fuels by 2035, putting Washington on an effective and affordable path to cleaner air. The transportation sector is responsible for nearly half of our climate and air pollution in Washington. We need our transportation to be clean, affordable, and accessible. A clean fuel standard will require fuel producers and importers to reduce pollution from the fuels that power our transportation system. It is a tested and effective policy that would clean our air, give us more options to fuel our vehicles (such as electricity and local renewable biofuels), create economic development, cut climate pollution, and move us beyond oil.

Click here for Earth Ministry’s factsheet on a statewide clean fuel standard.

Reduce Plastic Pollution – ESSB 5323 – PASSED

Senate voted 30-19, House voted: 67-29

Our local waterways, ocean, and recycling systems are overloaded with plastic pollution. Thin plastic bags that are used for just a few minutes and then thrown away pose a particular problem: only 6% ever get recycled. Single-use bags enter into our waterways and the ocean where they clog the stomachs of wildlife. They also clog recy­cling equipment where they are costly to remove and are the major contaminant in our commercial compost. The Reusable Bag Act would eliminate thin carry-home plastic bags at all retail establishments and help Washington address a growing recycling crisis.

Climate Pollution Limits – E2SHB 2311 – PASSED

House Voted 55-41, Senate voted 28-21

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 like trees and soils to capture excess carbon. This priority will update the state’s greenhouse gas limits to reflect current science and lay groundwork to reach net zero carbon emissions and beyond.

Safer Firefighting Foam Act – ESHB 2265 – PASSED

House voted 92-4, Senate voted 36-12

Two years ago, Washington State became the first state in the nation to phase out the use of firefighting foam containing toxic PFAS chemicals, going a long way to safeguard our drinking water and protect the health of firefighters. The law, however, exempted chemical plants and oil facilities, major users of PFAS foams in our state. HB 2265 seeks to close the loopholes in the existing law, protecting our drinking water from these dangerous chemicals.

Clean Air Act Update – HB 2892, SB 6628 – did not pass

Earlier this year, the State Supreme Court gave the state legislature a clear message – to tackle the climate crisis, Washington needs additional authority under the Clean Air Act. The court ruled that although the largest sellers and distributors of fossil fuels account for a huge amount of Washington’s climate pollution, the state currently does not have authority to regulate these companies for the pollution that drives their profits. This bill will enable the Department of Ecology to regulate greenhouse gas emissions associated with those fossil fuel sellers and distributors, updating our state’s ability to tackle climate pollution

Healthy Habitat/Healthy Orcas – HB 2550 – did not pass

Orcas and salmon are iconic species and their health is an indicator of our collective health and quality of life. After decades of degradation and habitat loss, we seek passage of a new standard, net ecological gain, to protect and restore habitat faster and leave our environment better than we found it for future generations. In addition to setting a higher standard, we seek to work with local governments for successful implementation to accomplish results as quickly as possible.

Transportation for All – HB 2688, SB 6398 – did not pass

We envision a clean and equitable transportation system for Washington that reduces climate pollution, improves community health and economic opportunity, and creates sustainable alternatives to congestion management. This bill will require new transportation investments and any transportation funding cuts to meet health, equity, and environment goals. Planning our transportation infrastructure based on desired goals and outcomes will move us towards a more sustainable and accessible transportation system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and improves community health, safety, and access to mobility options.

Buy Clean/Buy Fair – HB 2744 – did not pass

We should be spending taxpayer dollars on infrastructure supplies and materials that are manufactured in a clean, efficient, climate friendly manner, and made using local US-based companies with strong labor standards. This bill will help pressure suppliers to clean up their operations and reward those that are doing things the right way.

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2019 Washington State Legislative Session

100% Clean Electricity – SB 5116 – PASSED!

Our state is uniquely positioned to take action for the health of our communities and climate by achieving a fossil free, clean, and renewable electricity grid. We have a critical opportunity to phase away from dirty fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and fracked gas, and toward clean and sustainable energy sources like solar and wind. A 100% clean electricity standard is necessary to accelerate our efforts to achieve our state’s climate goals while growing our economy and creating jobs in an equitable manner.

This policy resonates with faith values of justice, stewardship, and responsibility. It will:

• Phase out coal power from Washington’s electricity grid by 2025
• Implement interim emission reduction targets starting in 2030 that would prevent unnecessary and costly near-term build out of new fossil fuel infrastructure on our electric grid – ensuring an orderly transition to clean electricity
• Increase investment in clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Provide more assistance for low-income Washingtonians and investments in more heavily impacted communities transitioning away from fossil fuels
• Ensure Washington State’s electricity is fully powered by 100% clean energy by 2045

For a more in-depth look please click here.

Clean Fuel Standard – HB 1110

California, Oregon, and British Columbia have successful clean fuels programs, making Washington the last West Coast jurisdiction without one. Given that transportation fuels are responsible for nearly half of the climate and air pollution in our state, it’s time we do our share to protect our communities and promote healthy ecosystems by cutting carbon from this sector.

A clean fuel standard requires oil refiners and importers to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels gradually over time, thereby improving public health, supporting expanded transportation electrification, and creating more homegrown jobs in the production of clean, low-carbon fuels. HB 1110 will require a 10% reduction in carbon intensity by 2028 and 20% reduction by 2035, putting Washington on an effective and affordable path to cleaner air.

For more information please click here.

Oil Spill Prevention Act – HB 1578 – PASSED!

Caring for the water that gives us life is central to caring for God’s creation. To protect Washington State from the devastating impacts of an oil spill, we are advocating that the state have the same protections on barges that exist for large tankers, require an emergency response tug that can protect high-risk areas like the San Juan Islands, and prevent oil drilling off our coast. 

Find out more information by clicking here.

Orca Emergency Response

Our southern resident orcas are on the brink of extinction, warranting an all-hands-on-deck commitment to bold action. At a minimum, we expect that the legislature to take action on the three biggest threats to orcas: their lack of food and impacts from noise and pollution.

Pollution Prevention for Our Future – SB 5135 – PASSED!

The world shared in the heart-breaking plight of the mother orca who carried her baby for weeks after it died last summer. This tragedy was a serious wake-up call that we need to address harmful chemicals in consumer products and manufacturing that end up in our homes and waterways. Toxic chemicals are released from everyday household products in our homes, schools, and workplaces; mix with airborne dust; and then contaminate our air and water.

Of particular concern for the most vulnerable populations, like children and orcas, are five especially dangerous classes of chemicals: nonstick PFAS, toxic flame retardants, PCBs, hormone-disrupting phthalates, and phenolic compounds including BPA. The Pollution Prevention for Our Future Act will prioritize action for these five classes of chemicals, direct the Department of Ecology to identify and reduce their sources, and ask the agency to identify the next classes of chemicals to address.

Reducing Plastic Pollution – SB 5323

Wasteful consuming is harmful to human dignity and destructive of our common home. It’s time to move beyond plastic bags that are used for a few minutes and discarded, blowing into waterways, filling the stomachs of wildlife, clogging recycling equipment, and contaminating our compost. The Reusable Bag Act eliminates thin carry-home plastic bags at all retail establishments.

For more information please refer here.

Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) – SB 5489 – Task Force Funded!

As people of faith we support the well-being of all communities, including those most harmed by environmental health impacts. HEAL establishes a healthy environment for the communities most at risk by creating a definition of environmental justice, directing agencies to address environmental health disparities, and creating a task force. If Washington wants to stand as a national leader on environmental policy and climate action, its lawmakers must do better to protect all of its people and the health conditions of where we live and work. HEAL ensures cross-agency accountability and acts as a launch-point to begin closing the health disparity gap in our state.  

Clean Buildings for Washington Act – HB 1257 – PASSED!

Building emissions are Washington State’s largest contributor to harmful greenhouse gases. Our building emissions rate has risen an alarming 50% since 1990. This legislation takes decisive active on reducing climate harming pollution, reducing emissions by 4.3 million metric tons by 2035—more than a quarter of the way to meeting Washington’s climate targets, and putting us on the trajectory to do much more. In addition, the provisions of this bill can have a big impact on family-wage jobs in the state, up and down the skill ladder. Deep building retrofits are a highly impactful, cost-effective way to reduce emissions, and these retrofits also generate more jobs than comparable investments in other clean energy sectors.

More information is available here.

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2018 Washington State Legislative Session

Healthy Food Packaging Act –ESHB 2658 – PASSED!

The Healthy Food Packaging Act protects our food, bodies, and the environment by phasing out PFAS, or perfluorinated compounds. This extremely persistent and cancer-causing class of chemicals is found in food packaging materials, such as fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags. While they keep grease off wrappers, these toxic chemicals escape into food through normal use. The Healthy Food Packaging Act will protect us from PFAS chemicals in food packaging in favor of safer alternatives.

We are morally obligated to do better because:

• Serious health impacts are linked to PFAS chemicals, including cancer and hormone disruption.
• These chemicals are so highly persistent that scientists call them “virtually indestructible” – meaning they will stay in our bodies, food, and water for long periods of time.
• PFAS pollute the environment when food packaging is thrown away or composted. Recently the Dept. of Ecology found that levels of PFAS are also increasing in Washington’s waterways.
• Nearly half of fast food wrappers tested contained PFAS chemicals – showing widespread use of these chemicals, but also broad adoption of alternatives.

Oil Spill Prevention Act – SB 6269 – PASSED!

More and more heavy oils are moving through Puget Sound, so keeping the oil industry on the hook to prevent oil spills is a hot issue. Despite critical gains around public disclosure and preparedness measures, significant funding gaps remain that put our communities and Puget Sound at risk of an oil spill or other disasters. We are pushing lawmakers to make real gains in protecting our communities and waterways from the risk of oil spills.

In response, this legislation:

• Establishes stable and reliable funding source for our prevention and preparedness program by expanding the barrel tax to pipelines and increasing the barrel tax by 2 cents.
• Funds the implementation of key protections for Puget Sound and shared waters such as inspectors, contingency plans and drills to test these plans.
• Initiates the development of action plans for stronger oil spill prevention tools and directs a transboundary summit for Salish Sea protections with Canada, Washington, native nations, communities, and marine experts.

Act On Climate – SB 6203

Despite the fact that climate change impacts are already felt here at home, many in the fossil fuel industry are working to undo years of climate progress, especially at the federal level. That’s why the State of Washington must step up. In the face of serious and escalating climate change risks – devastating wildfires, water shortages, flooding catastrophes, sea level rise, ocean acidification – 2018 is the year for meaningful action that moves Washington forward.

A just climate policy will:

• Charge major polluters for the harm they cause.
• Put these dollars to work through smart investments across the state that create good home-grown jobs, accelerate clean energy solutions, protect our health and safety, and ensure a resilient environment.
• Protect the “least of these” by prioritizing investments in communities most harmed by air pollution and climate change threats, and ensure a just transition for workers who rely on fossil fuel jobs.
• Bolster economic stability and equity in Washington’s transition to clean energy.

Clean Fuels Standard – HB 2338

Transportation fuels are responsible for nearly half of the climate and air pollution in our state. California, Oregon, and British Columbia have successful clean fuels programs, making Washington the last West Coast jurisdiction without one. It’s time we do our fair share to cut carbon from the transportation sector.

HB 2338:

• Requires refineries to clean up their fuels by reducing the carbon intensity of their fuels
• Provides opportunities for refineries to comply by blending biofuels, purchasing credits from utilities and others that sell electricity for EVs, reducing emissions associated with refining, and more

Sustainable Water Management – SB 6316, HB 2766

Healthy waterways are essential for a thriving environment, and water is also central in religious life. Washington needs a water management system that effectively protects the health of waterways by:

• Planning for residential development in accordance with available water resources.
• Fully offsetting water usage by mitigating impacts – especially those that are harmful to salmon.
• Metering and monitoring water usage to help homeowners, local governments, and the state manage this finite resource.

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2017 Washington State Legislative Session

Children’s Safe Electronics Act: HB 1596

In 2008, the Washington State Legislature passed the Children’s Safe Products Act (CSPA). We are grateful for this groundbreaking law that requires makers of children’s products to disclose whether certain toxic chemicals are present in their products. Reporting use of toxic chemicals in clothing, toys, bedding, and personal care products has had a positive impact on the health of our children, the marketplace, and product makers.

A major category of products is exempt from this law – children’s and consumer electronics, including cellphones, computers, and televisions. Electronic products should NOT be exempt because:

• They contain toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium as well as phthalates – chemicals linked to reproductive problems and learning disabilities.
• Kids are spending more time than ever in front of screens and using electronics.
• Electronic products are the highest-use product category for toxic flame retardants.
• Several studies indicate that these chemicals migrate from electronic products into household dust. Adults, children, and pets are then exposed through incidental ingestion of dust.

The Children’s Safe Electronics Act is a right-to-know bill that will provide crucial information for us to know what chemicals are in the products we purchase and for policymakers to have the best information to keep us safe. The moral choice is clear – we need to hold electronics to the same standard as all other product categories under the Children’s Safe Products Act.

Healthy Food Packaging Act: HB 1744

Many food packaging materials, especially those used for fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, are made with a class of chemicals called PFAS (perfluorinated compounds) that are linked to a variety of health effects, including cancer and hormone disruption. When we pop a bag of popcorn or grab a quick meal, we’re often going for reduced stress, not added concern about chemicals leaching into our food.

We need to get all PFAS chemicals out of food packaging because:

• PFAS chemicals are designed to repel both oil and water, and are so highly persistent that scientists call them “virtually indestructible.”
• Recent testing found PFAS chemicals in all 30 microwave popcorn bags tested
• PFAS chemicals were in 42% of fast food wrappers tested—showing widespread use of these chemicals, but also broad adoption of alternatives.

This bill will eliminate the unnecessary use of perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) in food packaging to protect the health of all of God’s children. Please call your elected official in support of it today!

Clean Energy Transition Act: HB 1646 & SB 5509

We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address the harmful effects of climate change in order to protect our health, communities, and economy. When we make the transition to clean, efficient energy we will grow our economy, creating a new wave of jobs and prosperity. In Washington, a group of social justice, labor, faith, environmental and health advocates have created what we believe is the most effective and equitable carbon reduction policy to date for transitioning to a clean energy economy.

The Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy’s policy will:

• Drive significant investment in clean energy, healthy forests, and water infrastructure—to reduce climate pollution more quickly and address the impacts of climate change in Washington.
• Fund these investments with a tax on climate pollution, which has a price that is linked to how well we are on track to meeting our emissions limits. These limits will be based on best available science in order to contribute to achieving a healthy, stable climate.
• Bolster economic stability and equity in the transition to clean energy. (Click here to see the full fact sheet)

Oil Transportation Safety Bill: HB 1611 & SB 5462

With the approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, we expect an increase in tanker traffic by 700% through the Salish Sea, meaning more oil moving through pipelines and more export terminals, making Washington State a target for dangerous spills and explosions.

The Oil Transportation Safety Bill will:

• Ensure that the oil industry pays in the case of a spill or other disaster
• Update funding for prevention, preparedness and response
• Protect Puget Sound from increased oil barges and other vessels from the Kinder Morgan Pipeline
• Protect against refineries turning into transshipment terminals
• Strengthen oversight of pipeline safety

We must do what we can to protect God’s creation since it cannot defend itself. We support this legislation to ensure common sense safety measures that will provide funding for oil spill prevention and response. The health of our environment and local communities depends on it.

Click here for more a one-page factsheet.

Fund the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA): HB 1663 & SB 5501

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) has been a successful law dedicated to cleaning up of toxic waste sites, preventing the use of harmful chemicals in products, and controlling pollution to protect water quality. The law relies on one of the most volatile revenue sources in the state budget–the hazardous substance tax. Because oil prices have plummeted and the MTCA fund has been raided repeatedly for other programs, there is a $75 million shortfall in its funding. This priority will impose a tax surcharge on imported toxics to ensure the money is secure and stable to solve the $75 million shortfall.

Our faith calls us to care for the most vulnerable. The MTCA is dedicated to the cleanup of toxic sites which often happen in the poorest of our communities. God calls on us to ensure that these vulnerable communities have access to clean water, a stable environment, and good health. Fully funding the MTCA is one important way that we can do so.

Click here for a one-page factsheet.

Water for People, Farms, and Fish: SB 5024

The Supreme Court recently held in its Hirst decision that new housing developments should not move forward where there is no legal and practical access to safe drinking water, or where providing safe drinking water will hurt flows in rivers and streams that wildlife, habitat, and senior water rights depend on. This bill codifies the Hirst decision into law.

It is our responsibility as people of faith to protect the water that gives life to us and to all of God’s creatures. We are stewards of the Earth when we provide reliable and sustainable sources of clean and safe water to our communities.

Click here for a one-page factsheet.

Clean Energy First Act: HB 1334

• Builds on the success of I-937, Washington’s Energy Independence Act, which set 2020 efficiency goals. Washington has seen a boom in the clean energy and energy efficiency sectors, generating billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs.
• Creates a path toward a 100% clean energy electric grid in Washington by prioritizing clean energy investments. Requires new energy needs be met with clean, renewable sources including energy efficiency, wind, solar, and existing hydropower.
• Additional fossil fuel resources, specifically natural gas, would be permissible only if a utility can demonstrate that it cannot meet standards using a portfolio of renewable resources.

Solar Tax Credits: SB 5939 – PASSED!

This bill promotes a sustainable, local renewable energy industry through modifying renewable energy system tax incentives and providing guidance for renewable energy system component recycling.

• This legislation will keep 3,700 solar employees working in  Washington
• Allows customers who seek a solar energy alternative for their home or business to receive eight years of incentive payments at the same rate at which they enter the program.
• Expands utility participation in renewable energy.
• Allows customers already enrolled to maintain their existing incentive rates until 2020

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Safeguard Our Environment

Earth Minsitry/WAIPL is a member of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, a network of over 20 leading environmental groups across the region that influence policy at the state level. Partnering closely with the wider conservation community in our advocacy work, we bring an important spiritual and moral voice to environmental issues of the day.

The Safeguard Our Environment priority focuses on protecting critical laws and investments that improve public health, create green jobs, and make Washington a great place to live, work, and play. This priority has four components:

1. Clean Air
2. Clean Energy
3. Clean and Abundant Water
4. Healthy Lands

Click here to learn more about each component of the Safeguard our Environment Priority.

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2015 Washington State Legislative Session

Read on to learn more about Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s priorities in the 2015 WA State Legislative Session. We are grateful for the faith community advocates who actively engaged in the important environmental issues our state dealt with in this year’s session

Check out Earth Ministry’s 2015 Legislative Priorities Fact Sheet – a useful resource to share with your faith community!

Toxic-Free Kids & Families Act – HB 1174

Earth Ministry/WAIPL is once again joining with the Washington Toxics Coalition to advocate for the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act. Studies show that toxic flame retardants in furniture foam and children’s products are linked to neurological disabilities, cancer, and endocrine disruption, which are a hefty price to pay considering that there are safer alternatives available. Reality is that these chemicals harm anyone who sits on furniture, and are especially detrimental to the most vulnerable among us. Healthcare workers, firefighters, faith leaders, parents, and students advocate that we address this serious public health issue by:

• Banning 6 toxic flame retardants in home furniture and children’s products
• Preventing the toxic treadmill, replacing one toxic flame retardant with another
• Ensuring compliance through reporting to the Department of Ecology
• Exempting products if there are no safer alternatives

To learn more about the Toxic-Free Kids & Families Act, please click here.

Toxic Reduction Act – HB 1472

Governor Inslee has introduced a bold toxics package that offers a comprehensive approach to regulating harmful chemicals in consumer products. Building on pre-existing laws and processes, we strive to protect our waterways as well as our bodies by:

• Establishing a process to identify priority harmful chemicals of concern
• Requiring chemical action plans to reduce and eliminate priority chemicals
• Granting the Department of Ecology authority to ban chemicals if safer alternatives exist

Carbon Pollution Accountability Act – HB 1314

Washingtonians are doing their part as individuals to keep this state clean, but industries that emit huge amounts of carbon pollution are able to do it without paying a price. Right now we are already witnessing the effects of global warming pollution – from economic losses in the shellfish industry to fiercer and more frequent forest fires, we are feeling impacts close to home. Earth Ministry/WAIPL supports the Governor’s plans to ensure clean air and a healthier climate by: 

• Making polluters pay for carbon emissions
• Enforcing our state climate laws
• Reducing harmful emissions in the future
• Generating needed revenue to make smart investments across the entire state – the income  generated will promote further emissions reductions, expand transit, support education, and address potential effects on low-income communities

To learn more about the Carbon Pollution Accountability Act, please click here.
To read the Governor’s Policy Brief click here. 
Click here to learn about the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, the broad coalition of organizations supporting this bill.

Oil Transportation Safety Now – HB 1449

Weakened version passed and was signed into law

Under significant pressure from the oil industry, the Washington State Legislature came to agreement on a weakened oil transportation safety bill. This compromise comes after stronger legislation spearheaded by Governor Jay Inslee, Representative Jessyn Farrell, and Senator Christine Rolfes passed the House twice with bipartisan support. The final legislation improves transparency and takes modest steps on safety but leaves undone significant work to protect the public. 

Key components of the bill include:

• Reporting on the volume and type of oil transported, oil spills, and other information that will be given to first responders and that the public can easily access through a new website.
• Authorizing the state to inspect rail crossings and push for repairs to degraded rail infrastructure.
• Financial protections to ensure that the companies carrying dangerous crude oil shipments through our region, not taxpayers, can pay for response after any size of spill or accident.

Key weakness in the updated bill:

• Puget Sound left unprotected. Oil spill prevention measures in Puget Sound were removed entirely from the bill.
• Important safety measures left without reliable funding. While the barrel tax has been extended to cover oil transported by rail, it relies on a one-time transfer of oil response funds to pay for implementation. This approach means that needed safety measures will lack funding within two years.

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2014 Washington State Legislative Session

Oil Transportation Safety Act – HB 2347

Throughout the nation, we are hearing about dangerous accidents and fires caused by oil transport. Recent oil train derailments in Canada and the United States highlight the risky business of moving oil through our cities. Yet local governments, first responders, and the public lack basic information on how much, what type, and how oil is moving through their towns. HB 2347 will require this disclosure.

At the same time, Washington faces new proposals to move more oil through our state. It is more urgent than ever to improve safety by evaluating existing emergency response plans, identifying our most vulnerable communities, and developing approaches to reduce risk. We are also working to enhance tug escort requirements to protect our waterways and coasts. See our fact sheet: People of Faith Support the Oil Transportation Safety Act.

Closing the Big Oil Tax Loophole HB 2465

Oil companies like BP and Shell should be paying to clean up their pollution, not profiting from a state tax loophole that was never meant for them. The Legislature created this “accidental loophole” in 1949, before any oil refineries operated in Washington. Now, Big Oil profits from the system and avoids paying $59 million of their fair share of taxes. Earth Ministry worked in partnership with the Environmental Priorities Coalition to try and close this loophole and reallocate this tax revenue for education.