issue area reports | energy and environment
Energy and Environment
Peter Godlewski: Energy, Environment and Water Policy
A new administration came in this year with a marked focus shift. The previous administration was very much about energy and climate policy. That is not the primary driving factor with Gov. Bob Ferguson and his administration. There was a new emphasis on affordability and the cost of some of these programs, which we find very helpful, given that energy prices are rising so quickly. In testimony from agency staff we also saw a new focus on managing the rising costs of these climate programs and finding ways to help businesses meet those costs. While this is still early in the new administration, it is a very welcome shift and we hope to work with the new administration to introduce additional affordability measures for energy policy.
This focus was most marked in HB 1975 and HB 1912, two bills passed by the legislature to address some outstanding concerns around the Climate Commitment Act. AWB has campaigned for changes since the CCA program first launched with much higher costs than officially projected. HB1975 introduces some moderate changes to stabilize the credit market while HB 1912 was governor-supported legislation to fix the ag exemption in the program. While the CCA will continue to put upward pressure on fuel costs, these measures will hopefully moderate that increase. AWB continues to advocate for additional tweaks to the program to help manage costs on businesses while meeting the program goals.
Continuing the work of previous years, permitting and siting reform was another area of focus in the energy space. AWB took positions on a large number of bills which sought to speed up the buildout of essential
Peter Godlewski is AWB’ s government affairs director for policies around energy, environment and water.
infrastructure for the next generation. Mixed into this conversation was a focus on the costs these programs will have on utility ratepayers and what the balance should be. Meeting the goals in the Clean Energy Transmission Act will continue to push electricity prices upwards, which erodes Washington’ s low energy prices and erodes a key competitive advantage for Washington manufacturing. While nothing significant passed this year, it remains a focus for AWB. The overall tone in the energy space seems to have turned a corner with an interest by the majority party to make it faster and easier to receive permit decisions on infrastructure that help meet our clean energy goals.
The direction on environmental law remains unchanged, however, with legislators looking to further increase protections for the environment. We continue to see legislation that would create new Extended Producer Responsibility( EPR) programs for a variety of products, which this year included fast fashion, textiles, batteries, and the ubiquitous plastic packaging. AWB opposed all of these bills and most died. Unfortunately, after seven years of discussion, the EPR program for plastic packaging did pass the legislature. While the rulemaking has yet to officially start as of publication, covered producers will be required to register starting in January 2026. AWB will be engaging in the rulemaking as it progresses. For additional information, members should join the AWB Environment Committee.
Bill considered as part of AWB’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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