ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES COALITION
New legislation is strongest clean electricity bill in the nation
Olympia, WA — April 22, 2019 — Following the historic House vote on April 11, the Washington State Legislature today passed the strongest clean electricity bill in the nation with the Senate approving the final version of the bill. Washington is now the fourth state, and the first in the Northwest, to pass 100 percent clean electricity legislation, which will eliminate coal power by 2025 and transition the state to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by 2045.
This major climate action demonstrates collective agreement around the growing urgency to address the economic, public health, and environmental impacts of climate change. A unique and diverse coalition of labor unions, environmental justice groups, businesses, medical professionals, faith leaders, and environmental and clean energy groups worked together to to get the Legislature to pass the bill, in development for several years.
The state’s commitment to 100 percent clean electricity will boost jobs and strengthen energy equity through provisions in the bill that increase funding for energy assistance programs for low income households and incorporate equity considerations in the planning and acquisition of new sources of electricity. The bill also ensures new clean energy jobs that include strong worker protections and pay family wages.
For more information about the legislation and a great array of quotes supporting the bill, please see the press release from last week’s House vote, at which hundreds of youth were present to witness the historic floor debate.
Television producers: B-roll of clean energy projects is available HERE.
Spokesperson availability:
- Health expert: Dr. Anita Peñuelas: anitapenuelas@gmail.com, 206-920-4161
- Equity provisions: Deric Gruen, Front and Centered, deric@frontandcenetered.org, 206-422-2597
- Union and worker perspectives: David Groves, Washington State Labor Council, 206-434-1301
- Business benefits: Brianna Stoutenburgh, Crystal Mountain, bstoutenburgh@skicrystal.com, 360-663-3016
- Clean air and climate benefits perspective: Environmental Priorities Coalition: Rebecca Ponzio, rebecca@waconservationaction.org, 206-240-0493
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