Seattle/King County Climate News
Robin Briggs
Seattle
The new Emissions Inventory is out. Emissions are inventoried every two years, and there is a two year delay between when the data is collected and when the report is complete. This inventory is for the year 2022. For the core inventory, transportation is up 6%, and building emissions are up 4%. Overall, this represents a decline of 12% against the baseline of 2008. This is some progress I guess, but the reality we're left with is we took 14 years to get 12% reduction, and we have just 5 more years to get 42% more in reductions by 2030.
Comprehensive Plan open comment period ends tomorrow, Dec. 20. The Seattle Planning Commission filed a letter to the city with many suggested changes. With the resignation of Tammy Morales, Joy Hollingsworth will be the chair of the Select Committee for the Comprehensive Plan. The Committee will consider the Comprehensive Plan in two parts; first, the proposed changes to the Neighborhood Residential Zones; and, second, changes to the Neighborhood and Urban Centers. OPCD will submit legislation to Council in March for the first part, and by May for the second part.
Sara Nelson announced she will run for reelection in 2025. We will have five city positions on the ballot: Mayor (Harrell is running), Nelson's at large position, Rinck's at large position, a replacement for Tammy Morales in D2 position, and the City Attorney position. The City Council will be appointing an interim D2 Councilmember; they are accepting applications now, and are required to make an appointment by Jan. 27.
State
King County, Seattle, Climate Solutions, Front & Centered, Washington Conservation Action and others filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of I-2066, which sought to rollback state laws on natural gas in new construction, and future planning. The plaintiffs argue that the initiative is too broad, addresses more than one subject and targets multiple laws, regulations, and programs. They also describe the title as misleading. An initial hearing is expected in Jan or Feb in King County Superior Court. Meanwhile supporters of I-2066 have filed a different lawsuit to require compliance.
A number of advocacy groups have announced their legislative agendas for the next session.
The Environmental Priorities Coalition is working to protect advanced clean trucks, invest Climate Commitment Act funds in appropriate projects, ,sewage spill right to know, and the ReWrap Act for producer responsibility.
Sightline is working to reduce or remove parking minimums in some areas in order to reduce the cost of housing. They believe that this will make many more residential buildings commercially viable to build.
Futurewise is backing rent stabilization, which would set a cap on how much landlords can raise rents each year, and transit oriented development to allow more homes near transit. They are also looking at a set of policies to address housing shortages in rural areas.
Front & Centered will be briefing on its Legislative Priorities on Jan 7 at noon. Looks like they will be working on the CURB Act, to protect overburdened communities from getting more pollution, and the Right To Energy to ensure energy assistance for low income residents.
Climate Solutions will announce their priorities in Jan.
Washington held its first carbon allowance auction since the repeal, and the priice went up to $40.26. That's higher than the price in Sept., but down significantly from the high. Our market will likely merge soon with CA and Quebec, which is expected to reduce prices further.
Elsewhere
Congestion pricing in New York City is back on. The original plan, put on hold by the governor in June, would have applied a $15/day fee for driving in lower Manhattan. The governor has reduced the fee to $9/day and plans to start enforcement on Jan. 5. The toll will be gradually raised to $15/day by 2031. The proceeds go to funding public transportation. There are 10 different lawsuits challenging the plan, and although New York has permission from the Federal Government, Trump has been clear that he is opposed to congestion pricing.