Save Our Sound

Puget Sound’s water and wildlife are in trouble. We want to leave our children the legacy of a clean and healthy Puget Sound, but that takes money and clout. We need increased funding and a new Puget Sound agency created in 2007 that will take leadership, maintain oversight, and hold accountable those responsible for results over the long term. And we need bold action this year to prevent and clean up water pollution and protect and restore habitat. April 26, 2007 Update: Both bills passed with wide bi-partisan support, 41-5 and 78-19. Click here for more details.

$100 Million for the Wildlife and Recreation Program

Preserve 133 places for parks and wildlife across the state by increasing our two-year investment to $100 million. As our state’s population grows, so too does the need for recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and farmland. We have an opportunity in 2007 to protect those places that make Washington special and enhance our much-envied quality of life. April 26, 2007 Update: The House and Senate both fully funded the program at $100 million and voted on the final capital budget!

Eliminate Toxic Flame Retardants

Serious health concerns - for children and wildlife- are linked to industrial chemicals used as flame retardants known as PBDEs. High levels of these chemicals have been found in Washington residents, Puget Sound orcas and salmon, and the Spokane River. These chemicals should be banned in favor of safer effective alternatives already in use so we can have fire protection without poisons. April 26, 2007 Update: Passed in the House by a huge margin of 71-24 on February 16th. Passed the Senate on an equally strong, bi-partisan 41-8 vote on April 3rd. The governor signed the bill into law on April 17th. Click here for more details.

Clean Air – Clean Fuels

Washington can become a dynamic, competitive leader in growing the clean fuel industry. The 2007 Clean Air/Clean Fuels package encourages energy independence by providing incentives for Washington farmers to produce the most promising new biofuel feedstocks; reduces fuel consumption and costs for state fleets; protects our kids by cleaning up dirty diesel school buses; promotes advanced vehicle technology; and helps the state guard against health threats from global warming. April 26, 2007 Update: Passed in the Senate on April 13th with a strong bi-partisan 44 to 4 vote. It previously passed in the House on March 10th with a 79 to 18 vote. Click here for more details.

Past Accomplishments to Monitor

High Performance Green Buildings

On April 8, 2005, Governor Gregoire signed this bill into law, requiring state buildings, schools, and universities to be built and certified as high performance green buildings. This will result in buildings that save energy and water, are cheaper to operate, and improve student learning and employee performance.

Cleaner Air-Cleaner Cars

The governor signed Cleaner Air-Cleaner Cars into law on May 6, 2005. This law will reduce cancer-causing emissions and global warming pollution from new cars, increase consumer choice, and save consumers a bundle at the gas pump.

Oil Spill Prevention

The legislature passed legislation to create a citizens’ advisory council modeled after the one set up in Alaska following the Exxon Valdex spill. The proposal for the advisory council had been fought vigorously by oil and shipping interests. Governor Gregoire will appoint the council’s members, who will represent community, environmental, industry, and other interests.

Transportation

The legislature made serious improvements in the state’s approach to transportation. They created a new funding source (vehicle weight fees), which will raise $835 million for transportation choice investments. They funded the safe- (walking) routes-to-school program, provided new funds for transit, bike, and pedestrial improvements, improved trip reduction programs, and created an Office of Transit Mobility at the Department of Transportation. On the highway side, they finally made safety and maintenance a higher priority than new capacity, allocating almost three-fourths of their new revenues to safety and maintenance, including $2 billion to the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and $500 million to the SR 520 bridge. In the fall of 2007 there will be two items on the ballot: Regional Transportation Investment District (primarily highways) and Sound Transit’s next phase. Both must pass for either to go forward. What projects will be contained in each plus their and estimated costs are currently being formulated by each Board.

Energy Efficient Products

Legislation passed that will require higher levels of efficiency in products such as commercial refrigerators and freezers, traffic signals, and incandescent reflector lamps. This will conserve millions of gallons of water and save consumers millions of dollars on electric bills.