Climate Action This Week: Reducing emissions from Hydrofluorocarbons; Electrification of Transportation (Clean Cars 2030); the HEAL Act; Supporting Emergency Shelters and Housing; and Buy Clean, Buy Fair in public procurement.

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* 1. Reducing emissions from Hydrofluorocarbons HB 1050

This bill strengthens the regulation of the super-potent greenhouse gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigeration and air conditioning. It directs the Department of Ecology to set a maximum limit for HFC use, establishes a management program for large air conditioning and refrigerant systems, and recommends a design process for end-of-life management and disposal of HFCs.

Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, February 8, 3:30 PM.

Please sign in here before 2:30 PM on Monday to support HB 1050 Reducing emissions from Hydrofluorocarbons and select “Pro” in the position button.

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* 2. Concerning the Electrification of Transportation (Clean Cars 2030) HB 1204

Clean Cars 2030 would require all new cars and light trucks to be electric starting in 2030. Let's make WA the first state to transition away from polluting gasoline to cleaner electric vehicles, five years ahead of California!

The Chairman of House Transportation, Representative Jake Fey, has not yet scheduled HB 1204 for a vote, and we know the oil and auto industries are working to kill the bill in committee.

Please call or email the following members of the Committee and ask them to hold an executive session and vote yes on HB 1204.

Click here to send an email to members of the committee.

If the above link did not work, please address your emails to:

Chair Rep. Jake Fey (D-27) – (206) 653-9974 – Jake.Fey@leg.wa.gov
Vice-Chair Rep. Sharon Wylie (D-49) – (360) 786-7924 – Sharon.Wylie@leg.wa.gov
2nd Vice-Chair Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-28) – (360) 786-7958 – Dan.Bronoske@leg.wa.gov
2nd Vice-Chair Rep. Rill Ramos (D-5) – (425) 654-4402 – Bill.Ramos@leg.wa.gov
 
If you’re calling and you reach voicemail, be sure to speak slowly and clearly and say the bill number. And be sure to let them know if you are a constituent of their district!

Script: I’m writing to ask Rep. [Name] to ensure HB 1204 gets an executive session.

Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own.
  • Electric vehicles will save money. They’re already cheaper to fuel and maintain. They will be cheaper than gas cars by 2025. 
  • The transition to electric vehicles will bring good paying, green jobs in EV manufacturing and infrastructure to Washington.     
  • Clean cars will bring cleaner air to our communities.
  • Vehicle pollution harms people in low income communities and communities of color the most. 
  • Electric vehicles will give Washingtonians energy independence. 

  Rep. Jake Fey (D-27) (Chair) Rep. Sharon Wylie (D-49) (Vice-Chair) Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-28) (2nd Vice-Chair) Rep. Rill Ramos (D-5) (2nd Vice-Chair)
I called
I emailed

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* 3. HEAL Act - SB 5141

The HEAL Act implements the recommendations of the environmental justice task force. It aims to improve the lives of those most affected by pollution as Washington transitions to a greener and fairer economy. The bill requires many state agencies to apply principles of environmental justice in decision-making, to identify communities most impacted by environmental effects and to ensure community participation in decisions.

Scheduled for an executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy, and Technology Tuesday, February 9, 10:30 AM.

Please call or email the following members of the Committee and ask them to vote YES on SB 5141.

Click here to send an email to three members of the committee.

If the above link did not work, please address your emails to:

Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35) – (360) 786-7668 – Tim.Sheldon@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-41) – (425) 301-8578 – Lisa.Wellman@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Shelly Short (R-07) – (360) 786-7612 – Shelly.Short@leg.wa.gov

If you’re calling and you reach voicemail, be sure to speak slowly and clearly and say the bill number. And be sure to let them know if you are a constituent of their district!

Here are some talking points you can add as to why you support the bill:
  • We know that our health and well-being varies significantly according to our income, race, language ability and where we live. The HEAL Act aims to improve the lives of those most affected by pollution as Washington transitions to a greener and fairer economy. 
  • State agencies need better outreach plans that are more inclusive. 
  • It’s time to fully enforce our health protection laws and prioritize state spending in high need areas.
  • We need more equitable community participation in state agency planning, resource allocation, programs, and enforcement. 
  • State agencies need to use the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map to identify communities most impacted by environmental effects and engage them in ways that make them safer and healthier.
  • When we improve the lives of those most affected by pollution, we’re all better off.

  Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35) Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-41) Sen. Shelly Short (R-07)
I called
I emailed

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* 4. Supporting Emergency Shelters and Housing through Comprehensive Planning HB 1220

This bill updates Washington’s Growth Management Act to require our cities and counties to plan for a diversity of housing options in their comprehensive plans to meet every income level. This update will help cities to plan for a diversity of affordable homes and for emergency shelters. 

Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Local Government on Tuesday, February 9, 10:00 AM and on Wednesday, February 10, 10:00 AM.

Please call or email the following members of the Committee and ask them to vote YES on HB 1220. Be sure to let them know if you are a constituent of their district!

Click here to send an email to four members of the committee.

If the above link did not work, please address your emails to:

Chair Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46) – (206) 307-409 – Gerry.Pollet@leg.wa.gov
Vice Chair Rep. Davina Duerr (D-1) – (425) 318-1303 – Davina.Duerr@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Keith Goehner (R-12) – (360) 786-7954 – Keith.Goehner@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Tana Senn (D-41) – (360) 786-7894 – Tana.Senn@leg.wa.gov

If you’re calling and you reach voicemail, be sure to speak slowly and clearly and say the bill number. And be sure to let them know if you are a constituent of their district!

Here are some talking points you can add as to why you support the bill:
  • It’s important to require our cities and counties to plan for and accommodate affordable housing that addresses the needs of those with moderate, low, very low and extremely low income and those who need emergency shelters or supported housing.   
  • This bill addresses social injustice by requiring cities to identify and address historical racial bias, exclusion or displacement.  
  • This bill helps to improve economic stability by providing affordable homes for teachers, childcare workers, and many other essential members of our community. 

  Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46) Rep. Davina Duerr (D-1) Rep. Keith Goehner (R-12) Rep. Tana Senn (D-41)
I called
I emailed

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* 5. Buy Clean, Buy Fair HB 1103

The Buy Clean, Buy Fair bill incentivizes low carbon emissions and fair labor standards in public procurement. This bill spotlights clean and responsible manufacturers by requiring firms selected for large building or renovation contracts to report the carbon intensity of certain building materials purchased for state-funded building projects, and the working conditions of those involved in their production.

The Chair of the House Capital Budget Committee, Rep. Steve Tharinger, has not yet scheduled HB 1103 for a vote.

Please call or email the following members of the Committee and ask them to hold an executive session and vote yes on HB 1103.

Click here to send an email to three members of the committee.

If the above link did not work, please address your emails to:

Chair Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-24) – (564) 888-2366 – Steve.Tharinger@leg.wa.gov
Vice Chair Rep. Lisa Callan (D-5) – (425) 651-2341 – Lisa.Callan@leg.wa.gov
Vice Chair Rep. David Hackney (D-11) – (206) 490-914 – David.Hackney@leg.wa.gov

If you’re calling and you reach voicemail, be sure to speak slowly and clearly and say the bill number. And be sure to let them know if you are a constituent of their district!

Script: I’m writing to ask Rep. [Name] to ensure HB 1103 gets an executive session. 

Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own.
  • Washington is driving up carbon pollution and fueling trade-related job loss by treating dirty and exploitative manufacturers the same as those that treat workers fairly and invest in pollution controls. This puts manufacturers that meet Washington’s high environmental and labor standards at a competitive disadvantage. Buy Clean, Buy Fair (HB 1103) is an important step toward leveling the playing field.
  • The bill establishes a public database to promote transparency.
  • It has never been more vital that Washington maximize the public good from every tax dollar spent. Buy Clean, Buy Fair does exactly that by pushing the state to consider carbon pollution and working conditions when purchasing materials for public works.

  Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-24) Rep. Lisa Callan (D-5) Rep. David Hackney (D-11)
I called
I emailed

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* Thanks for taking action with us! How did that go?

-- The 350 WA Civic Action Team

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