Rep. Upthegrove on: "A framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the WA economy"
By noemie maxwell
Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 02:07:36 PM PST
Section: Washington State
Topic: Climate Change
Noemie,Here is a little personal blurb on the big climate change bill that passed last night. Thought it might be of interest for WashBlog readers...
Dave
I received the email quoted above from Representative
Dave Upthegrove today about
HB2815, "Providing a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Washington economy". The bill, which originated in the committee he chairs, Ecology and Parks, passed yesterday, and has received significant press coverage. It builds on a law from last session, which set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Washington 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. HB 2815 makes these goals mandatory. It also amends RCW 43.330 to establish a comprehensive green economy jobs growth initiative based on the goal of increasing the number
of green economy jobs in the state from 8,000 in 2004 to 25,000 in 2020.
Dave's blurb continues below the fold.
Dave Upthegrove
State Representative
33rd District
Chairman, House Ecology & Parks Committee
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
WebpageThe Legislature passed the major climate change legislation last night. This was my top priority this year and I think it is a remarkable achievement-- one of the most meaningful pieces of environmental legislation to pass since I have joined the Legislature.
As Chairman of the Ecology & Parks Committee, it is my job to manage issues related to climate change, Puget Sound clean-up and a variety of other issues. Handling the climate change bill in the House, and working with the Governor's office, the Senate and the stakeholders to negotiate the language of the bill was as at times frustrating, but an overall rewarding experience.
This new legislation, for the first time, turns Washington State's carbon reduction goals into action. The bill requires the state to take actions to reduce carbon emissions to achieve the goals we passed last year.
The cornerstone action called for in the bill is for the Department of Ecology to participate in the development of a regional cap-and-trade system to bring back to the Legislature for approval next year. The bill also requires, for the first time, that major polluters inventory and report their carbon emissions to the State Department of Ecology.
In addition, we sets goals in the transportation sector to reduce the amount that people drive (per capita Vehicle Miles Traveled) and directs our State Department of Transportation to bring us back proposals to achieve those goals.
Finally, the bill creates new economic development programs and a workforce retraining grant program to help create new "green collar" jobs in Washington and help position us to take advantage, economically, of the transformation to a clean energy economy.
This legislation is going to create jobs and save money in the long run. Most importantly, however, we are doing the right thing to preserve our quality of life and way of life for future generations.
Here is a story about the bill's passage from today's Seattle Times: State to come up with emissions goals.