Fight Climate Change Today

Despite the unfortunate loss of I-1631 at the ballot box last November, the Washington State Legislature has been on a tear this session when it comes to crafting legislation to address climate change. Three of the bills that were proposed during this session have made it through their first votes (two in the Senate and one in the House), and are now up for committee votes in the other legislative body.

Democrats hold both halves of the state legislature, but that is not a guarantee that any of these bills will make it out of committee, or survive a floor vote. But we, the voters of Washington state, have the power to remind our state senators and representatives that they work for us, and that we want to see real action taken on climate change here at home right now.

Today’s Action: Comment on three pieces of climate legislation

You can comment by phone or by web form (or both.)

How to Make a Call

Dial the Washington Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. They make it super easy to leave feedback, and they are always nice on the phone.

If you want to find your representatives in advance, you can find them here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

How to Comment by Web Form

See the links under each individual action.

Action 1: Support the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act

Senate Bill 5116, the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act, is almost over the finish line! This bill has passed in the Senate; it has passed through House Environment Committee; and now it is in the House Finance Committee. The Finance Committee has executive sessions scheduled on 3/26 and 3/29 at 8:00 A.M.

Sample Script:

Hi, my name is {NAME}, and I’m a resident of {CITY, ZIP}. I am writing to express my strong support in favor of SB 5116. The United States needs to stop burning coal in order to protect our environment, and Washington can lead by example. I ask you to vote in favor of this bill, and ask all of your colleagues to do the same.

Take Action:

Call 1-800-562-6000
Comment at https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5116&Initiative=false&Year=2019

Action 2: Support the Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydrofluorocarbons Act

House Bill 1112, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydrofluorocarbons, has passed the House, and has a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology on 3/26 at 10:00 A.M. This bill will reduce the emissions of dangerous hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs), removing them entirely where possible and replacing them with less dangerous HCFCs where necessary.

Sample Script:

Hi, my name is {NAME}, and I’m a resident of {CITY, ZIP}. I am writing to express my strong support in favor of HB 1112. The United States needs to stop emitting hydrofluorocarbons, and Washington can lead by example. I ask you to vote in favor of this bill, and ask all of your colleagues to do the same.

Take Action:

Call 1-800-562-6000
Comment at https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1112&Initiative=false&Year=2019

Action 3: Support the Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Transportation Fuels Act

House Bill 1110, Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels, has passed the House; it has also passed in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee, but nothing further has been scheduled yet. This is the bill that needs your emails and phone calls the most.

This bill would create a low carbon fuel standard for Washington state, which would both decrease pollution and benefit the state economy.

Sample Script:

Hi, my name is {NAME}, and I’m a resident of {CITY, ZIP}. I am writing to express my strong support in favor of HB 1110. The United States needs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by every means necessary, and establishing a stronger fuel economy standard would help out here in Washington. I ask you to help this bill reach the Senate floor, and vote in favor of it, and I ask that you request that all of your colleagues do the same.