In 2022 Washington State implemented the Climate Commitment Act (The Climate Commitment Act: Washington’s path to carbon-neutrality by 2050 - Washington State Department of Ecology). This established a cap and trade program as a financial incentive for the state’s largest greenhouse gas emitters to reduce their carbon pollution. The generated revenues fund projects to transition away from fossil fuels and build the climate resilience of Washington’s communities. The act’s effect on gasoline prices is the subject of heated debate. As a member of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, Audubon Washington supported SB 6052 requiring oil companies to reveal the factors behind gasoline prices and industry profits. The bill stalled in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is dead for this session. Paid signature gatherers have accumulated enough names for an initiative repealing Washington’s most important climate-related law, the Climate Commitment Act, to appear on next fall’s ballot.
Another Audubon priority, HB 2049, would have required reduction in product packaging and revamped Washington’s recycling system. This bill did not meet the cut-off deadline for a vote on the House floor and will not receive further consideration this session. Companion bills to promote community solar projects (HB 2253 / SB 6113) did not make it out of committee.