House passes Climate Commitment Act to reduce carbon emissions
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OLYMPIA – The House passed the Climate Commitment Act, landmark legislation to reduce carbon emissions and set Washington on a path to meet its statutory goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, today with a vote of 54-43. Senate Bill 5126 establishes a cap and invest system that will steadily reduce carbon emissions and air pollution while investing in green infrastructure, multimodal transportation, and environmental justice. Amendments in the House strengthened the bill by adding stringent requirements to monitor air quality in communities that suffer disproportionate environmental and health impacts. The House version also ensures that at least 35% of revenues from the Climate Investment Account are invested in overburdened communities and another 10% benefit tribal lands. Additionally, the bill now designates the Environmental Justice Council, created by the HEAL Act, to recommend
Washington Democrats decry Inslee s disastrous reopening plan, push for emergency aid by Tim Gruver, The Center Square | February 02, 2021 09:00 AM Print this article
A host of Washington state lawmakers are racing ahead of Gov. Jay Inslee to assist pandemic-ravaged small businesses as his reopening plan takes heat from fellow Democrats.
When Inslee issued Washington s first statewide stay-at-home order on March 23, the state s weekly case average was 154. On Monday, it was 1,671, the state Department of Health
Between then and now, his phased reopening plans have taken on many shapes, but political pressures and fierce pushback from business owners have seen him set
But, that status can be taken away if case or hospitalization rates start to climb again.
“If we relax too much, we could be back into the horrific days of exponential growth,” Gov. Inslee said.
In Phase 2, almost all businesses, including restaurants and entertainment venues, are allowed to reopen indoor operations at 25% capacity.
While that’s good news for many businesses, Washington Hospitality Association CEO Anthony Anton says the governor’s latest plan means some businesses might reopen, then have to shut down suddenly if COVID-19 rates change.
“We would love to continue to work with the governor for a more stable metric,” Anton said.