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Download Repower Washington PDF to learn about the climate legislation this session.

Cap and Invest  (SB 5735, HB 1819)

By implementing real limits on global warming pollution, we can create new jobs and stimulate the growth of a clean energy economy here in Washington State. This effort implements the cap on climate pollution the Legislature adopted last year.  Emitters would pay for pollution permits, and the new revenue would be invested to reduce fossil fuel dependence, create green jobs and spur new clean-tech innovation, while providing assistance to moderate- and low-income households struggling with high energy costs.

Through state action, we can reduce global warming pollution in a manner that benefits Washington’s economy, protects Washington’s interests in the national climate policy debate. and positions us for success in the new clean energy economy.

Download a fact sheet about Cap and Invest.

Efficiency First  (SB 5854, HB 1747)

Promoting energy efficient homes, businesses and public institutions will save money, enhance energy security, and significantly reduce global-warming pollution. Energy efficiency is the cheapest and most immediate way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and will create thousands of good, family-wage jobs in Washington.

This bill will put “efficiency first” by promoting super-efficient, low-energy-use buildings, providing incentives to maximize energy efficiency, requiring energy use information on buildings offered for sale or lease; and making our public buildings models of energy efficiency. This policy will also help to ensure that low-income consumers can cope with rising energy costs.

Download a fact sheet about Efficiency First.

Transit-Oriented Communities  (SB 5687, HB 1490)

Washingtonians want to live in affordable, walkable and transit-oriented communities.  With population growth, we are facing increased traffic congestion, diminished quality of life, and ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Transit-Oriented Communities would revise the state’s transportation and land-use planning framework to assist local jurisdictions to plan for growth in a sustainable and climate-friendly way. The bill will provide incentives for cities and developers to create affordable, livable, transit-oriented development, increasing transportation choices.

Download a fact sheet about Transit-Oriented Communities.

Green Jobs

Green collar jobs are well-paid, career track jobs that directly contribute to bettering the environment. Jobs like retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, repairing wind turbines, and manufacturing solar panels all fall under the green jobs umbrella.

Green jobs are essential to building a clean energy economy in Washington. Without a skilled workforce, we can’t attract green business. We need green workers to power our economy forward.

Safe recycling for energy efficient light bulbs

Using energy efficient lighting is an important step in conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gases. For example, compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent lamps and last up to 10 times longer. However, safe recycling of these mercury-containing lights is needed to prevent harm to people and our environment and to bolster consumer confidence in using this energy-efficient lighting. Proposed legislation would create a recycling program for mercury-containing lights that is convenient and safe for residents, small businesses and small school districts. Lighting manufacturers would establish and pay for a collection and recycling system that prevents mercury releases into the environment and protects human health. The legislation would create a program similar to the new manufacturer-financed computer and television recycling program that launched in Washington January 1, 2009.

Western Climate Initiative

The Western Climate Initiative is made up of seven Western states and four Canadian provinces working together to reduce our region’s output of global warming pollution. 

 The WCI set overall reduction goals during the summer of 2007 and this September released recommendations for a design of how to achieve those goals.

Read a statement on the WCI framework.

Read a letter from advocates on how to make a cap and trade system fair and effective.

Climate Action Team

Governor Gregoire convened this stakeholder group which issued a set of initial recommendations in February and is continuing to meet to propose specific policies for adoption in 2009.  The specific areas the team is looking at include transportation, waste reduction, and green buildings and energy efficiency.

 Click here for more information on The Climate Action Team.

Recent Success

Click here to read about the real progress made on key climate bills during the 2008 state legislative session.

Green Jobs Day of Action

On Saturday, September 27, 1Sky Washington helped organize events as part of a nationwide “Green Jobs Now” Day of Action. Citizens rallied to urge candidates and elected officials to become leaders on advancing climate solutions and building an inclusive green economy for our state, and the nation.

Click here to view photos from the Green Jobs events in Bellevue & Bremerton.

1Sky Washington Mother's Day Action

This Mother's Day weekend, mothers, families, and kids all across the state gathered to expand the climate movement and send a powerful message:  Together, we can make climate action a moral imperative for our elected officials! 

Click here to see photos from events from around the state.

Want to help make these solutions happen?  Get involved!