Washington
-
15 green-leaning mayors
Climate change is a global problem — but as of yet, there’s no global solution. That’s why mayors across the U.S. are taking action, from building green to organizing bike rides, from redeveloping downtowns to cutting emissions. Here are just a few of the municipal leaders who have worked to take our collective future into […]
-
A test of green(er) dishwasher detergents
Like the thorn under the rosebud, big piles of dirty dishes symbolize the tragedy of existence: pleasure (e.g., the pleasure of eating and cooking) invites pain. But dishes are more than just a symbol; they also (unfortunately) need to be done, day in and day out. The question becomes: how to do them as painlessly […]
-
EPA announces collegiate Green Power winners; competition fails to change power buying habits
The Ivy League is the greenest of them all, according to the EPA, which today announced the college and university winners of the Green Power challenge — a competition to motivate American schools to purchase more renewable energy. Participating schools compete within their athletic conferences to purchase the most certified green power, but conferences only […]
-
Washington’s cap-and-trade legislation no longer involves cap and trade
Photo: libraryman via FlickrWashington state’s cap-and-trade legislation is no more. Or rather, it IS … in the existential sense … but after the House passed a watered down version on Wednesday, it should no longer be allowed to call itself “cap-and-trade legislation.” As there is no cap and trade in said cap-and-trade legislation. There is […]
-
Regional climate policy is still moving forward in the Northwest
Over the last couple of weeks, there’s been a lot of hand-wringing about the state of climate policy in the Northwest. Washington’s citizen-backed renewable energy standard is in jeopardy and neither Oregon nor Washington appears close to implementing the Western Climate Initiative. Even British Columbia’s pioneering carbon tax is taking fire. Freak out! Everybody panic! […]
-
Washington's cap-and-trade legislation gutted by Senate committee
So remember how I was all "your days are numbered, pollutey companies of Washington state! mwahaha" because the cap-and-trade bill "whizzed" through the House committee? Yeah, I might have spoken too soon, because not so much with the Senate version.
The Committee on Environment, Water, and Energy yesterday passed a version of the bill that makes the program voluntary, which kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Still, hopeful enviros are quick to note that it's a "work in progress." Sigh.
-
Washington's cap-and-trade legislation passes out of committee
Dear pollutey companies of Washington state, your days are numbered. House Bill 1819, backed by Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), has whizzed through committee and is on its way to a full vote.
The bill sets up a cap-and-trade system that would limit greenhouse-gas emissions and require companies to purchase the right to pollute further, while greener biz folk would profit by auctioning off their unused allowances. Hooray for rewarding the good guys!
The carbon trading market would extend to six other states and four Canadian provinces -- all part of the Western Climate Initiative -- once the bill is passed here and in the other jurisdictions.
-
Washington governor unveils green jobs legislation
Last night, NBC Nightly News aired a short segment on how hard the recession is hitting Seattle. It's quite depressing, especially amid the ever-gray skies ...
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) is not unaware of this fact and, as I've mentioned previously, is trying to boost the state's economy by putting monies toward major building projects and other job-creating ventures.
Yesterday, she announced a legislation package that focuses more concretely on the creation of "green jobs" -- as well as lowering the state's carbon footprint.
The legislation contains House Bill 1819 and its equivalent Senate Bill 5735. Both bills would implement a cap and trade system in partnership with six states and four Canadian provinces, which are part of a coalition called the Western Climate Initiative.
...
In addition to the cap and trade bill, a proposed $455 million will be invested for projects that emphasize energy efficiency and clean-energy technology. These investments would help support 2,900 jobs for the next two years, according to the Office of Financial Management.There will be public hearings on both bills next Tuesday, and if passed, the cap-and trade-program would go into effect in 2012.
-
Washington state Senate aims to boost green jobs, construction
As Microsoft, Starbucks, and other Seattle-area giants announce layoffs, Democrats in the Washington state Senate have revealed a package of proposed laws aimed at boosting the number of green jobs in the state -- by speeding up construction projects. (Sound familiar?)
The "Clean Energy, Green Jobs" legislation will funnel money from the anticipated federal stimulus package and the state's construction budget into green building efforts. By 2030, older buildings would have to decrease their greenhouse-gas emissions and new buildings would be required to be emissions-free.
Aimed at "encouraging businesses to become more environmentally friendly," the legislation would also require state vehicles to meet 36 mpg standards, provide provisions for weatherizing low-income homes, and incorporate sales tax breaks for hybrid and electric vehicles.