2010 Press Clips
Recession Mustn't Stop Restoration Projects, Gregoire Says
Now is not the time to hold back efforts to protect and restore the Puget Sound ecosystem, Gov. Chris Gregoire declared Friday while touring Belfair’s new sewage-treatment plant.
Referendum 52 saves taxpayers money
Tucked away on the November ballot is a solid investment with guaranteed dividends. Referendum 52 asks taxpayers to spend a little money to save a lot of money on energy bills in schools and public buildings.
Update: Fitzgibbon leading Heavey 54%-44%
Joe Fitzgibbon is 10% ahead of Michael Heavey with 17% votes counted, for State Representative Position No. 2.
Brown Takes the Lead Over Burlingame in Commissioner's Race
If early election results hold, county commissioner Josh Brown will remain in office for another four years. Returns from the first count on Tuesday showed Brown with 52.44 percent of the vote, placing him ahead of Republican challenger Abby Burlingame, who had 47.38 percent.
Clean energy action crucial
The passage of a comprehensive climate and energy bill will help mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as help the people of Washington benefit from investments in a new clean energy economy.
Getting to 'Ja' in Copenhagen
In Copenhagen there is little willingness to turn good intentions to commitments in signed agreements. Locally the best response will be pioneering efforts to build a green economy with jobs for the future.
Environmental agenda
The state's environmental community enters the 2010 state Legislature trying to hold the line on further cuts on the natural resources front.
Environmental groups have modest legislative agenda
With the Legislature facing a $2.6 billion budget deficit, Washington environmentalists have a modest agenda for the upcoming session and hope to avoid further cutbacks they say have already devastated environmental protection in the state.
Two Shades of Green
Despite the many proclamations to the contrary, concern for the environment is not destined to lead to economic collapse. If managed properly, with due diligence for striking a balance between ecological and capitalistic concerns, a green economy can be vibrant and fruitful.
Top green priority in the legislature
Passage of the Working for Clean Water bill that will be brought up this legislative session would mean $120 million a year that would go towards creating jobs and cleaning up our waterways.
Dunshee wants $860m in bonds for energy-efficient schools
House Capital Budget Chairman Hans Dunshee has rolled out a proposal to issue $860 million in state bonds to pay for energy-efficiency upgrades at schools across the state.
Enviro Community in 2010
A coalition of Washington State environmental groups have announced a list of priorities for the upcoming legislative session that represents a significant scaling back from last year’s ambitious list of environmental goals.
Environmentalists' Goal for 2010 Legislature: Avoid More Cuts
A coalition of 25 environmental groups have pared down their legislative priorities to just three goals — and one of them is to avoid further cutbacks in state programs designed to protect public health and the environment.
Tacoma needs clean air for its children
Pediatric Nurse Nicole Makula writes from first-hand experience about the negative effect that pollution has on both children and adults.
KEXP Sustainability Segment with Diane Horn
Washington Conservation Voters Program Director Brendon Cechovic was recently on KEXP to discuss this year's environmental priorities.
Enviro Lobby Takes a New Tack This Legislative Session
Clifford Traisman, lobbyist for Washington Conservation Voters, discusses the environmental priorities for the 2010 legislative session on KPLU.
Asks for support for clean water bill
Steve Bailey of Bellingham writes a letter to the editor asking for support on the Working for Clean Water bill that is in the state legislature this winter.
Clean Water bill helps both environment and state economy
State legislators and Gov. Chris Gregoire have an opportunity to make real and lasting progress on their commitment to clean up Puget Sound by 2020 while putting our state back to work. That’s a smart way of doing business in these tough economic times.
State takes step to ban BPA in kids’ containers
The house has passed a bill to ban the use of BPA in food and beverage containers used by children.
Groups urge state to triple tax on polluters to plug budget hole
As state lawmakers search for ways to fill a $2.6 billion budget hole, environmentalists are dangling what they hope will be a tempting new tax idea. They're pushing to as much as triple the state's "hazardous-substance tax" on petroleum, pesticides and other chemicals — an increase that could bring in an extra $250 million a year.
State Senate votes to ban chemical BPA in baby bottles
The Washington state Senate Friday voted 36-9 to approve a ban on the chemical bisphenol A in baby bottles, sippy cups and other food containers designed for use by children 3 or younger.
Legislators should support bill to raise money for clean water
Working for Clean Water offers our representatives a practical, budget-neutral approach to protecting our waters from unnecessary, harmful stormwater pollution. It would create smart jobs and protect waterways like Lake Whatcom and Bellingham Bay.
When is an oil fee not an oil fee?
"Working for Clean Water" has emerged as a solution for funding stormwater projects, helping local governments, and closing the $2.6 million budget gap.
Environmentalists and Oil Companies Set To Battle Over Tax
Environmentalists and oil companies are about to go to war over a tax proposal in Olympia. At issue is a bill to triple Washington's hazardous substance tax. It's levied on petroleum products - like crude oil - and other toxics when they come into Washington.
MY TURN: Stormwater Crisis Needs Solutions Now
Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown calls for the state legislature to create a stable revenue source to assist local governments reduce stormwater runoff.
Major polluter tax bills introduced in Olympia
The big environmental bill of the legislative session -- a proposal to triple the tax on oil, pesticides and other chemicals and devote the money to storm water cleanup -- was formally introduced today in the state House and Senate.
Bill would put people to work improving, repairing schools
The JOBS Act of 2010 (Job Opportunities for Better Schools) will put people to work repairing schools across the state, keep our schools and kids warmer, save money, and reduce our state’s carbon footprint.
Protecting Polluters?
Sightline Daily takes on big oil and explains why the Working for Clean Water bill is a smart move.
State must move forward to clean up the Duwamish River
Seattle's only river, the Duwamish, is a federal Superfund whose cleanup threatens to be stalled, warns guest columnist Patty Foley. The river's cleanup is vital to the health of the city.
Science and policy changes are needed to rescue Puget Sound
Cleaning up Puget Sound is directly linked to the health of Washington citizens and a robust economy. The Legislature needs to know there is broad public support to clean up the Sound. The next big target is the pollution in stormwater runoff, a byproduct of how we live and developed the land.
We deserve Clean Water Act of 2010
Stormwater is the primary source of pollution in Puget Sound. If this state is going to meet the governor's goal of cleaning up Puget Sound by 2020, projects must be put in place to divert the stormwater or remove the petroleum products, fertilizers and other pollutants from water before it enters the Sound.
Scorecard: a "green" D.C. delegation
Anchoring one of Congress' "greenest" delegations, Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and four Washington House members, received perfect ratings of 100 in the National Environmental Scorecard, produced annually by the League of Conservation Voters.
Under the Dome for March 5
Legislators have an opportunity this session to tackle the number one water-pollution problem in the state and create jobs by doing so.
Proposal to boost Washington state's hazardous-substances tax gaining momentum
Environmentalists seeking to clean up Puget Sound may be on the verge of a major political victory, with a proposal to boost the state's hazardous-substances tax to deal with polluted stormwater gaining traction in the closing days of the legislative session.
Vote for King County Conservation District supervisor, if you can figure out how
The King County Conservation District is a little-known but important agency with a $6 million budget making important decisions about conservations measures. Guest columnist Bill Sherman argues for changes to increase public participation in its elections.
King Conservation District Board Elections
The King Conservation District is holding elections for one spot on its five–member board of supervisors Tuesday.
Proposal to boost oil tax draws foes to Olympia
A proposed boost to the state's tax on oil and other chemicals to pay for clean-water projects is prompting a lather of lobbying in Olympia.
Are We Prepared For a Big Spill?
SEATTLE (KPLU) - The massive spill from a blown-out oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has focused the world's attention on the damage large spills can do. There are no offshore oil rigs in Washington State, but an estimated 20 billion gallons of oil and other petroleum products are carried in and out of Puget Sound each year. So, how well are we prepared for a major spill?
Puget Sound pays price for BP’s spending in Olympia
I have noticed a lot of sympathy here in Washington about this disaster, but, in reality, there is not a lot we can do. What we can do is make sure we’re prepared to prevent a similar disaster in Puget Sound and, in the meantime, clean up Puget Sound.
NW Fishermen Say "Don't Let an Oil Spill Happen Here"
Several Northwest fishermen say they're having deja vu watching the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Those who felt the impact of the Exxon Valdez spill more than 20 years ago say it's crucial not to allow a similar disaster here.
Henderson cops big enviro endorsement in 22nd LD race
Democrat Stew Henderson has won a sole endorsement from Washington Conservation Voters for his 22nd district run for state Rep. Brendan Williams' seat, giving him a leg up on at least one issue in the race. There are six other Democrats and one Republican running for the seat in the left-of-center district.
Puget Sound's slow oil spill
Puget Sound is at risk from petroleum and chemicals, write guest columnists Kevin Ranker and David Dicks. While the U.S. Gulf coast is threatened by a calamitous oil spill, Puget Sound is threatened by a slow-moving spill of petroleum and chemicals from our roads and backyards.
Greens growl at Democrats
The Washington Conservation Voters, self-described political voice of the environment, on Monday showered praise on state Rep. Sharon Nelson of Vashon Island. But a fellow Democrat, State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island, led off its list of "Green Duds."
Environmentalists sort out 'champions' from 'duds'
An environmental group praises Reps. Skip Priest and Geoff Simpson as "champions" while singling out Reps. Christopher Hurst and Troy Kelley and Sen. Tim Sheldon as "green duds." Washington Conservation Voters released its scorecard today, ranking each legislator on their environmental votes in 2009 and 2010 on a scale of 0-100.
Environmental Group Slams State Senate Transportation Chair
Here’s the latest Sen. Haugen update: Washington Conservation Voters, the state’s lead environmental advocacy group down in Olympia, gave the Democratic leader a “green dud,” for her 40 percent voting record on environmental issues.
House candidate notes Sierra Club backing
Stew Henderson reported Monday that he won the sole endorsement of the Sierra Club's Cascade Chapter for his Democratic campaign in the 22nd Legislative District. He earlier won endorsement by the Washington Conservation Voters and Thurston Conservation Voters.
Washington Conservation Voters calls Sen. Ranker “emerging environmental leader”
The Washington Conversation Voters are saying that our own 40th district Sen. Kevin ranker, D-San Juan Island, is an “emerging environmental leader” in the release of their 2010 Legislative Scorecard.
Candidates for Senate deeply split on energy, climate
If you were to vote for the next U.S. senator from Washington state based solely on energy and climate issues, you couldn't complain for lack of choices. Among the four leading candidates is an incumbent who has voted in alignment with environmental groups and a tea-party favorite who blames "environmental extremists" for the crux of the nation's energy woes.
Eyman's I-1053: A slick initiative
If Eyman's initiative wins a majority vote this November, a minority of one third (plus one) in either the Washington State Senate or House of Representatives will be able to block the closing of tax loopholes or such measures as a Hazardous Substances Tax.
Further cuts will imperil core functions
On Wednesday evening, Gov. Chris Gregoire held a forum in Everett to hear public feedback on the state budget. More than 400 people turned out to express their concerns about what next year's budget might mean for Washington. The situation we're facing isn't pretty.
PubliCola Picks Joe Fitzgibbon for State Rep. Position 2, District 34
PubliCola agrees with the Washington Conservation Voters, SEIU 775, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the Cascade Bicycle Club, and the Sierra Club Cascade Chapter, among many other groups that have been blown away by idealistic young policy nerd Joe Fitzgibbon.
Jean Melious best choice for Whatcom County Council seat
Being a Whatcom County council person is a difficult and time-consuming job. The countless number of issues faced by the council include union contracts, land-use laws, financial deficits, planning for the long-term health and prosperity of our community and even dealing with constituents' issues.
Put Harper's talents to work
Effective legislating is about more than listening to various stakeholders, making decisions and taking votes. The most effective lawmakers also lead. They come up with new approaches to old problems, and inspire others to support new solutions they never knew were possible... In the 38th District, which includes most of Everett and Marysville and the Tulalip Reservation, this year's Senate race includes a first-time candidate, Democrat Nick Harper, with the potential to be that kind of legislator.
Referendum 52: School Building Improvement Proposal
Referendum 52 would authorize the state to borrow money to pay for weatherizing schools. Backers say it will save the state $126 million a year in energy costs. Opponents say it would add to the state's bond debt and indefinitely extend the new tax on bottled water.
Groups plan to sue over Wash. refinery pollution
Two environmental groups said Tuesday they intend to sue the Washington Department of Ecology and two clean air agencies for not limiting global warming pollution from oil refineries.
Could Referendum 52 Help Trim Schools' Backlog of Projects?
For the past decade, local school districts have checked energy efficiency projects off their to-do lists. They’ve installed newer lights that use less power, replaced heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, installed new heat pumps and more.
Yes on R-52
PubliCola picks ‘Yes’ on R-52. Democrats have been long on promises for green public works projects that meet the challenge of global warming while creating jobs and stimulating the economy. In short: turning the current crisis into opportunity. They’ve been short on results. R-52, which the Democratic state legislature sent to voters this November, changes all that.
Put Harper's talents to work
Effective legislating is about more than listening to various stakeholders, making decisions and taking votes. The most effective lawmakers also lead. They come up with new approaches to old problems, and inspire others to support new solutions they never knew were possible... In the 38th District, which includes most of Everett and Marysville and the Tulalip Reservation, this year's Senate race includes a first-time candidate, Democrat Nick Harper, with the potential to be that kind of legislator.
Just in Time for Your Three-Day Weekend
Northwest drivers are driving more for the first time in a decade, according to a report released today by the Sightline Institute. The nonprofit environmental research group reports that in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon "per-person gasoline consumption increased... after reaching a 43-year low in 2008."
Proposal to boost Washington state's hazardous-substances tax gaining momentum
Environmentalists seeking to clean up Puget Sound may be on the verge of a major political victory, with a proposal to boost the state's hazardous-substances tax to deal with polluted stormwater gaining traction in the closing days of the legislative session.
County council agrees to spend $19.1 million to purchase Glacier site on Maury
The King County Council on Monday overwhelmingly approved $19.1 million to help purchase 250 acres of rugged shoreline and forest on Maury Island, all but assuring the historic effort to secure the controversial mine site will come to fruition.
Greens' state agenda: Try, try again
The third time may or may not be the charm for legislation that would fund stormwater projects through taxes or fees on petroleum — and the environmental groups that will take the idea to Olympia for the third year running may or may not really care.
