SECURED! $821 million for climate pollution reduction, natural climate solutions, Tribal communities and nations, and environmental justice priorities. Examples of work funded in this effort include:
- More than $206 million for people’s homes (e.g., removing fossil fuels for electric heat pumps, weatherizing and providing health upgrades, etc.)
- $83 million for carbon sequestration and storage on state forests and protecting older, carbon dense forests. This was a grassroots led effort from communities concerned about the state putting these older forests on the block for harvest. It also is the first time we see the state investing in projects that will actually tap our natural assets (forests) to be part of the climate solution to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
- At least $203 million in direct funding for frontline and Tribal communities. “At least” because other investments in the overall funding package will direct dollars to these communities, but these are direct investments. Things like community capacity grants so communities can identify solutions that work for them or providing funds to Tribal communities grappling with the impacts of climate change like sea level rise).
“We can’t wait for future generations to solve today’s challenges because communities across Washington don’t have the luxury of waiting for the kind of bold environmental progress we need right now,” said Alyssa Macy, CEO, Washington Conservation Action (citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon). “With $1 billion dollars from the Climate Commitment Act, our state can now address the challenges of today and tomorrow. The use of these CCA funds to reduce pollution, improve our public health, and invest in vulnerable communities and Tribal Nations reflects more than a decade of work and we are thrilled to start seeing the results.”
