With the state legislature now in session, the Power UP! team sorted through energy bills under consideration and selected a few to support. Our first priority will be to work with the policy group to pass the Washington Coal (divestment) bill, which may be a multi-year effort.
We also support the Fair Access to Community Solar Act (HB1598). This will provide increased and equitable access to affordable, reliable, locally generated, clean solar power. You can find more information on the bill here and here. Watch for an announcement on how Third Act members can support the community solar act.
Power UP! members also began efforts to craft a Climate Superfund bill for WA, like the one recently passed by New York state. This bill recovers damages to the state from the largest fossil fuel companies, wherever they are. Third Act NY played a leading role in passing that bill. We met with Third Act NY members and then with WA senate majority lead Joe Fitzgibbon’s legislative assistant to explain how a Climate Superfund bill would benefit Washington.
In our work with the Utilities and Transportation Commission to implement the Decarbonization Act, this month we began cooperation with the Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) to send a unified message to the UTC regarding public participation requirements the utility must provide.
Power UP! continued discussions with Seattle Public Schools and Snohomish School District to assist with implementing their electrification programs. These programs involve students in planning unique renewable energy and storage using school buses and solar panels.