As the Washington State Legislature begins its 105-day session on January 13th, Audubon Washington and the 26 other members of the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC) will be focusing on four areas:
Safeguarding vulnerable rules like the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, clean energy policies, and programs supporting energy efficiency in homes and businesses in the face of a federal administration likely to roll back climate policies.
Ensuring that funds from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act are invested as intended and not diverted to balancing the state budget. In the November election 62% of Washington voters defeated Initiative 2117 and thereby strongly upheld the state’s program to reduce climate pollution and invest in clean air, public health, job creation, and transportation. During this session the Legislature will write the biennial budget.
Requiring the Department of Ecology to create a website with maps and searchable records of sewage spills. Unlike 10 other states, Washington has no system for informing the public about sewage spills despite the public health hazard they present.
The fourth priority carrying forward the proposed Recycling Reform Act from previous years. As the Coalition website states, “More than 50% of Washington’s consumer packaging and paper products are landfilled or incinerated, wasting an estimated $104 million in valuable materials… (The proposed act) will require packaging and paper product companies and brands to fund Washington’s recycling system. This will bring consistent and accessible recycling to all state residents. It will reduce packaging and excess waste and create education programs to reduce confusion.”
In the weeks ahead, the Coalition website will have more details including relevant bill numbers. During the session, the EPC will provide weekly updates on these priorities and other environmental bills. Sign up to receive these on the Coalition website:
Environmental Priorities Coalition - Washington Conservation Action.
As mentioned in the December Skagit Flyer, Audubon Washington also has its own short list of priorities supporting National Audubon goals. You can read about these at Audubon Washington’s 2025 Legislative Priorities | Audubon Washington. Washington’s 25 Audubon chapters give it state-wide reach to address issues in every legislative district. Skagit County alone overlaps three districts: the 10th, 39th, and 40th with a wide range of political perspectives among its elected officials. Sign up for Audubon Washington’s action alerts to add your voice in support of Audubon’s goals: Join Our Action Network | Audubon Washington.
For information on other conservation issues Skagit Audubon is following, please go to the Conservation Notes on the chapter website at https://www.skagitaudubon.org/conservation-notes-letters.