To that end, Inslee announced an executive order to fully electrify Washington state's public fleets and transition to a 100 pct zero-emission light duty fleet by 2035, as well as 100 pct zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty state fleets by 2040. Additionally , all new car sales must be zero-emission vehicles beginning 2035 and 100 pct zero-carbon energy by 2045, as well as ensuring 100 pct net zero operating emissions from new building construction from 2030. Other commitments include conserving at least 30 pct of land and coastal waters by 2030 and ensuring that at least 40 pct of expenditures benefit overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
In the release Inslee noted,
"We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to effectively mitigate climate change. The actions we take in the next five years will determine the fate of our species. I'm proud to stand with this global coalition of governors and mayors to go beyond pledges. Together, we are charting a path to make tangible, meaningful progress to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and get to net-zero by 2050. Now is the time for leaders to buckle down and get it done." (Source: Office of Gov. Jay Inslee, Nov., 2021) Contact: Office of Gov. Jay Inslee, 360.902.4111, www.governor.wa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Jay Inslee, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions ,
Additionally, the Department of Ecology may not increase the carbon intensity reductions required by the applicable clean fuels program standard beyond a 10 pct reduction in carbon intensity until: at least a 15 pct net increase in the volume of in-state liquid biofuel production and the use of feedstocks grown or produced within the state relative to the start of the program; and at least one new or expanded biofuel production facility representing an increase in production capacity or producing, in total, in excess of 60,000,000 gpy of biofuels is received after 1 July 2021, all necessary siting, operating, and environmental permits post all timely and applicable appeals. As part of the threshold of 60,000,000 gallons of biofuel, at least one new facility producing at least 10,000,000 gpy must have received all necessary siting, operating, and environmental permits.
The rules must include standards for greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the transportation fuels throughout their life cycles, including but not limited to emissions from the production, storage, transportation, and combustion of transportation fuels and from changes in land use associated with transportation fuels and any permanent greenhouse gas sequestration activities. Some exemptions apply. (Source: Washington State, Office of Gov. Jay Inslee, PR, May, 2021)Contact: Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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The governor's proposal would establish benchmarks for cutting carbon emissions, lessening the state's dependence on fossil fuels, combating climate change and bolstering the state's economy.
According to Inslee, the state's estimated 84 million tonnes of emissions in 2020 would drop to 54.2 million metric tpy by 2030, under his proposal. The proposal would have fuel suppliers reduce carbon emissions from their fuels by 10 pct by 2028, 20 pct by 2035 and even further reductions by 2050.
Inslee's proposal would involve investing $100 million in clean energy, including $15 million for power grid modernization, $15 million on clean energy R&D, $20 million for electrifying transportation systems, and $20 million for small businesses and nonprofits to reduce their operating costs through energy efficiency measures. (Source: Contact: Office of Gov. Jay Enslee, The Reflector, 16 Dec., 2020)Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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Washington State's private forests and wood products sector sequesters 12 pct of the state's carbon emissions, and working forests play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases, according to the Washington Forest Protection Association. (Source: Washington Forest Protection Assoc., PR, 25 Mar., 2020)
Contact: Washington Forest Protection Association, www.wfpa.org; American Forest Resource Council, www.amforest.org;
Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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Under the proposed low-carbon fuel standard, biofuel suppliers could meet their low-carbon obligations by paying an "alternative assessment" that could add between $48 million and $193 million to the state's coffers in its first year.
(Source: Chinook Observer, Capital Press, Jan., 2019)
Contact: Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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To that end, Inslee's plan calls for nothing short of the death of Old King Coal and the complete retirement of the country's 852 coal-ired power plants, which currently accounts for about 27 pct of America's electricity mix, within a decade.
The plan also calls for utilities to go 100 pct carbon neutral by 2030 and transition to running on zero emissions energy sources, like renewable or nuclear power, by 2035, and the elimination of all fossil fuel use in federal buildings by 2023.
(Source: Jay Inslee, Earther, 3 May, 2019)Contact: Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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Washington is the fourth state to pursue carbon-free electricity. California, Hawaii and New Mexico have already passed similar plans, while Nevada and New York are considering similar bills.
Washington, under Dem, Governor Jay Inslee's direction, is pursuing specific measures focused on slashing emissions from specific sectors rather then imposing a an all encompassing carbon tax to meet its carbon reduction goals. Inslee, a recently announced 2020 Presidential hopeful, has pushed the state's power companies to obtain 80 pct of their energy from carbon-free sources by 2030 and to offset emissions for the remaining 20 pct with renewable energy credits. Come 2045, all retail electricity sales must come from carbon-free sources.
State legislation calls for a 25 pct emissions reduction of 1990 levels by 2035, and 50 pct by 2050. (Source: Various Media, 16 April, 2019)
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The two-term governor stressed
"I'm running for president because I am the only candidate who will make defeating climate change our nation's number one priority." (Source: Various Media, Mar., 2019)Contact: Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
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Inslee's proposal is designed to accelerate the innovation and efforts already underway across the economy to transition to 100 pct clean energy, construct ultra-energy efficient buildings, establish a clean fuel standard, electrify the state's transportation system and phase down super-pollutants in certain products -- all of which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state to 25 pct below 1990 levels by 2035. To achieve that goal, the state needs to further reduce emissions by nearly 16 million metric tpy, according to a release. The transition to 100 pct clean energy would place Washington among the first states to end all coal-fired electric power consumption by 2025, transition toward carbon neutral electricity in 2030, and lay the groundwork to eliminate all fossil fuels in electricity generation by 2045.
Inslee is also calling for a 40 pct increase in the state's Clean Energy Fund, a comprehensive clean energy and energy efficiency building package; a clean fuel standard; support for electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure; and a reduction in the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) -- a super-pollutant that is thousands of times more damaging than carbon.
(Source: Office of Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, PR, The Hill, 10 Dec., 2018) Contact:
US Climate Alliance, www.usclimatealliance.org; Office of Washington Sate Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Jay Inslee, Carbon Emissions, Climate CHange, Clean Energy,