Seattle/King County Climate News 1.25.22
Robin Briggs
Ballots have been mailed for the Seattle School Levies, and are due on Feb. 8. The school levies contain $18M funding for converting the schools to use clean energy – to convert from fossil fuel heating to heat pumps.
The Office of Sustainability and Environment presented on what Seattle is doing about climate, sponsored by People for Climate Action
The Green New Deal Oversight Committee is choosing 3 more members, applications are due by Jan 31. They will be making recommendations for how to spend the $6.4M that was allocated in the 2022 City Budget for GND, as well as making recommendations for the 2023 City Budget. Those two processes will run in parallel, from Feb to May. There will be a community engagement effort in Feb and March, and the board will finalize the 2022 recommendation at the April 18 meeting, for vote in City Council in May. This is a good time to let them know your priorities. They have established three sub-committees, one for the budget recommendations, one for engagement, and one for recruitment to fill up the three vacant seats.
Seattle City Light is updating their Climate Plan, and will be taking public input on a draft version in Feb.
Port of SeattleA new cruise terminal is "off the table" according to Ryan Calkins, new Port Commissions President. Cruise ships are major polluters, both on their own and because they require aviation. The Port is now considering using Terminal 46 as a redeveloped cargo port. Seattle Cruise Control is advocating for using it as a staging area for offshore wind turbines.
StateHB 1099 Adding Climate to the Growth Management Act passed out of the House!
SB 5042 Closing the Growth Management Act Loophole scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor
HB 1770 Strengthen building energy codes. Passed out of Local Government Committee and sent to House Rules.
SB 5543 – Cash for clunkers for exchanging gas landscaping equipment for electric. Passed out of Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, referred to Ways & Means.
HB 1767 Targeted Electrification. Passed out of House Committee on Environment & Energy.
HB 1766 Clean Heat Act. Hearing before the House Committee on Environment & Energy Jan 28 at 10am. Sign In Pro.