Seattle/King County Climate News

[Robin Briggs]

It's been a tumultuous week in Seattle politics, and the State Legislative Session is drawing nigh. Here's what I've been following:

Seattle

Alexis Mercedes Rinck was sworn in as Seattle's new at-large Council representative, replacing Tanya Woo. She is now the chair of the Sustainability, City Light, Arts & Culture Committee, and also sits on the Transportation Committee and the Land Use Committee. 

Tammy Morales announced that she will be resigning her Council position effective Jan 2 (Publicola). The City Council will appoint a new councilmember to fill the position on an interim basis until a new Councilmember for District 2 is chosen in the November election. Tammy Morales was chair of the Land Use Committee; unless committee assignments are rejiggered, her replacement could end up responsible for shepherding the Comprehensive Plan through its approval process in the Council.

King County

King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay announced he will run for Executive, joining fellow Councilmember Claudia Balducci and County Assessor John Wilson in a race to replace Dow Constantine.

State

Climate pollution surges in Washington state after pandemic lull (KUOW).  After dropping 14% in 2020, emissions grew 7% in 2022, according to the EPA. The State will release a new emissions inventory for 2020 and 2021 this month. Seattle is also expected to release its emissions inventory for 2022 this month. "At the pace of emissions reported for 2021 and 2022, Washington state is not on track to meet its 45% reduction mandate for 2030."

Lawmakers have begun filing bills in advance of the 2025 Legislative Session, which is starting Jan. 13. This will be a long session, running through April 27, which leaves a little more time to pass bills, but the Legislature is also on the hook to pass a new two year budget. Revenues are down, so that could be challenging. Here are some things that we have heard may be coming:

• Rewrap is back – producer responsibility for better recycling.

• EV car tab fees in lieu of gas tax replaced by road usage fee? This bill has been up at least twice before.

• Energy labelling for residential buildings (HB 1015 Duerr)

Elsewhere

Massachusetts passed a  "climate bill that will limit gas pipeline expansion, make it easier to site and build renewables, and allow utilities to use geothermal energy — instead of fossil fuels — to heat and cool homes." (Canary Media)

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