Seattle/King County Climate News 4.15.23
Robin Briggs
Seattle
Revenue projections from the City's Budget Office forecast a $31 million drop in JumpStart revenue for 2023 and 2024. This is still above the level the City originally projected when it instituted the tax, but a big drop from what we've been seeing. This could have a big negative impact on spending for climate, as well as affordable housing and the General Fund. Other city revenue is down as well, especially the Real Estate Excise Tax, which is down by $22 million because of less multifamily development. The Downtown Seattle Association and the Chamber of Commerce have proposed a 3-year moratorium on the JumpStart tax, as well as opposing the Building Emissions Performance Standards.
The Mayor released new legislation to "update the City's industrial lands policy and zoning to create an estimated 35,000 new jobs and 3,000 new homes over the next 20 years". The rezoned areas are not subject to MHA. The zoning includes space for:
Maritime, Manufacturing and Logistics
Industry and Innovation
Urban Industrial
The new jobs to housing ratio proposed is 10:1, so although the jobs will be very welcome, the workers may have significant problems finding housing.
Region
A fishing factory ship fire in Tacoma released 10 tons of freon (R-22) gas – equivalent in CO2 emissions to the impact of burning 1.7 million gallons of gas. Trident, the company that owns the ship, has been repeatedly cited and fined for not fixing freon leaks. Manufacturing or importing freon gas is illegal under the Montreal Protocol, but there is still a lot being used. Maybe the freon tanks on ships should be fire resistant? Story from KUOW.
State
The Legislative Session bills that have not yet passed both chambers will no longer be considered. The Legislature is currently working on reconciling bills, including the budget related bills. The Session is scheduled to end on April 23.
These bills have passed both House and Senate and are awaiting the Governor's signature.
HB 1181: Adding Climate to the Growth Management Act
SB 5165: Improving electric power system transmission planning
HB 1216: Consolidating and streamlining the siting of clean energy projects
HB 1176: Creating a Washington Climate Corps and evaluating climate and energy transition workforce needs
HB 1170: Updating the State’s climate resilience strategy
HB 1390: Decarbonization plans for State district energy systems
HB 1085: Reducing plastic pollution
HB 1033: Establishing composting standards
SB 5144: Battery Recycling
HB 1084: Freight rail grants to be decided by Legislature
HB 1236: Improving access to renewable hydrogen for public transportation
HB 1416: Applying emissions reduction requirements of the Clean Energy Act to nonresidential customers in public utility areas that produce their own power or buy it on the market
SJM 8001: Resolution supporting a national green bank
SB 5269: Assessing opportunities for Washington to capture new and emerging industries and strengthen its manufacturing base while responding to climate change
HB 1117: Addressing the extent to which Washington residents are at risk of rolling blackouts and power supply inadequacy events
HB 1337: Expanding housing options by easing barriers to the construction and use of accessory dwelling units (ADU)
SB 5104: Surveying Puget Sound marine shoreline habitat
SB 5452: Authorizing using impact fees for bicycle and pedestrian facilities
SB 5390: Authorizing safe harbor agreements about the northern spotted owl with forestland owners
HB 1032: Requires utility planning for wildfire risks and identification of best management practices
HB 1175:Creates a state run financial insurance program for owners and operators of underground petroleum storage tanks
These bills have passed both chambers but require reconcilation:
All the budget bills
HB 1110: Middle Housing
HB 1460: Trust Land Transfer
SB 5491: Allow single stairway on buildings up to 6 stories
Bills that failed the opposite chamber floor passage cutoff: