Civic Action Team
2022 Legislative Priorities

Last session saw the passage of impactful climate policy as climate disasters escalated in Washington. Wildfires, reduced snowpack, overheated rivers and ocean acidification have been well known in the Pacific Northwest, but the heat dome at the end of June was both the deadliest event in state history, and one that occurred decades earlier than climate scientists expected, driving home the point made at the global level that “It’s code red for the planet.” 

Sadly, at the federal level, an adequate response to the physics of climate change has been stymied by the blunt politics of obstruction. State-level work to address climate change is more important than ever.

Mindful of the midterm elections later this year and the pervasive expectation that power could shift in either or both chambers of the legislature, the majority caucus is poised between caution and action. Your voice in the virtual Olympia can make a difference!

This year’s legislative session will be a short one, only 60 days. If you haven’t already, sign up here to join our campaign to call for climate action. Our recap of last year’s session has moved here.

Here are the policy issues we’re following:

Removing Fossil Gas From Buildings

The big effort this session will be to advance the decarbonization of the fossil gas industry. We have only 8 years to halve our carbon emissions. At more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide, the methane that we use to heat our buildings is a fatal liability. Decarbonizing the gas sector is essential. Doing it equitably will be difficult. Four bills this session start to do that work, improving our building codes and performance standards, allowing public and municipal utilities to incentivize fuel switching, and requiring gas utilities to begin regular, programmatic decarbonization plans.

Climate in the Growth Management Act

In order to ensure that our state is planning for the impacts of climate change, housing equity, and protecting our farms and forests, we need to finish the work started last session: pass HB 1099 so that our cities and counties include climate change in their comprehensive plans, fully fund the emergency housing measures passed last session, and finally close the egregious sprawl loophole that allows development to eat away at precious farmland, forests and critical habitat.

A Just Transition in Transportation

Half of our state’s carbon pollution comes out of the tailpipes of our cars and trucks. It’s time to change the way we select and fund transportation projects. It’s time to stop expanding highways, finally start to reduce vehicle miles traveled and create a people-centered transportation system that meets the needs of the quarter of Washingtonians who don’t drive.

Police Accountability

Last year’s historic gains in police accountability were critical and necessary first steps, but there is still more to do. We will be supporting community oversight, changes to civil liability, and an independent state-wide prosecutor, and tracking additional policy recommendations and guidance from communities most impacted by police violence.

Energy Equity, Housing and More

We will be supporting bills to secure affordable energy as a right for low income and disabled Washingtonians most at risk of getting their power shut off, the expansion of middle housing, improved recycling for plastic packaging, digital equity, community solar, reducing methane from landfills, restoring salmon habitat, increasing urban forestry, and a “green amendment” to the state constitution that would establish the right to a clean and healthy environment for all Washingtonians.

Climate Commitment Act

While last year’s most consequential climate bill moves through agency rulemaking, we’re tracking two missing pieces that will be introduced this session: restoring the Tribal consent provisions vetoed by the Governor, and defining the final compliance pathway for large polluters.

Join the Civic Action Team

Your voice is needed! Join us to advocate for climate action and social and environmental equity in this year’s session! Sign up here. And tell your friends!