Environmental Priorities Coalition

Clean Air

An estimated 600,000 people in Washington have asthma, which is among the highest in the nation. Native and low-income communities are the most at risk. Air pollutants produce dangerous substances that harm neighborhoods and waterways. State leaders must protect existing authority and funding resources to continue to deal with the many threats posed by air pollution.

Clean Energy

Clean energy development protects our environment and economy. This has resulted in thousands of good, local jobs and saved billions on power bills over the past two decades. Washington’s clean energy heritage and our leadership in clean tech innovation attract business and a talented workforce. Our state’s voter-approved clean energy law, Initiative 937, is responsible for increasing clean energy generation and stimulating ambitious energy efficiency achievements that reduce the monthly utility bills of households and businesses across the state. The law’s renewable energy standards support nearly 150 businesses and more than 4,500 local, family-wage jobs throughout Washington, while current efficiency investments are creating more than 4,660 direct and indirect jobs a year.

Clean & Abundant Water

Water is a precious and finite resource that communities depend on for drinking, fishing, recreation, and many other important services. Unfortunately, our waters are contaminated everyday with a wide range of harmful pollutants, and drought and climate change threaten water supplies for fish and people. Ensuring funding and policies that clean up toxic sites, prevent pollution at its source, and protect instream flows are essential in the face of a state funding crisis and other threats. We also have opportunities this session to adopt efficiency measures that reduce water and energy use so we can waste less of these precious resources.

Healthy Lands

Washington’s beautiful natural environment and accessible public lands are a significant part of our state’s heritage and economy. In 2015, we faced record wildfires, made worse by extreme weather and decades of fire suppression. To reduce risks from wildfires, we need to increase forest resilience and community preparedness in a way that reflects the best-available science. In addition to fire danger, a vocal minority is working to undermine our public lands for their own benefit. We have a responsibility to ensure these public lands are there for future generations – and not allow small groups of special interests to monopolize or misuse them.