Climate Package for WA 2021-2023

When Gov. Inslee had his hat in the ring for presidency, he made it very clear that a climate package was important. It’s no surprise then, that a bold package has been introduced for or state. On Tuesday, he released a climate policy. Highlights are below. Head to the governor’s Medium page for the full story. Or read further and see the whole policy brief here.

“Climate change is a health issue, an economic issue and an equity issue. We must address these very real threats to our state, and we cannot wait,” Inslee said at a press conference Tuesday. “The time to act is now. These proposals would reduce nearly 30 million metric tons of emissions by 2030 — a 35% reduction from current projections. And these standards and investments — with justice at their core — will grow clean energy jobs in Washington.”

Inslee’s legislative and budget proposals would create a comprehensive climate program to ensure the state meets its climate goals:

• Cap statewide greenhouse gas emissions and invest in clean energy, transportation and climate resilience programs, and fund part of the Working Families Tax Credit.
• Establish a clean fuel standard and reduce transportation emissions through electrification.
• Require new buildings to be carbon free by 2030 and eliminate fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050.
• Require an environmental justice assessment for all climate related investments and create an Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Panel to analyze how climate investments impact communities most affected by climate change.
• Invest $428 million in clean transportation, clean buildings and clean energy projects.