Progress on clean water, jobs still in the balance during special legislative session

Contact: Kurt Fritts, Washington Conservation Voters
206-910-8777 kurt@wcvoters.org

Seattle- Environmental leaders reacted to today’s The Seattle Times editorial announcing “Green Progress in Olympia.” Two of the environmental community’s top priorities- The Clean Water Act of 2010 and environmental protections in the state budget- are still hanging in the balance during the special legislative session.

“There is no question that the legislature has made progress on environmental issues this session,” said Kurt Fritts, Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters. “To be clear, however, the success or failure of the session depends on what legislative leaders do on the remaining issues: restoring core environmental protections in the budget and the Clean Water Act of 2010.”

The Clean Water Act of 2010 (HB 3181/ SB 6851) is one of the few issues Governor Gregoire and legislative leaders agreed to consider during the special legislative session. The bill is also a top priority for the labor community and local governments across the state.

“The legislature’s job is not done until they step up to address stormwater pollution, create thousands of green jobs, and assist local taxpayers,” said Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director of People For Puget Sound. “Finish the job and fund stormwater pollution projects. Do it for our families, our waterways, and our communities in these tough times.”