Landmark Climate Commitment Act Takes Major Step Forward in Washington State

(Olympia, WA – April 9, 2021) Yesterday, the Washington Senate took a major step toward reducing harmful climate and air pollution by passing Senate Bill 5126, the Climate Commitment Act. The legislation would create a cap-and-invest program that – through a binding limit across all major sectors of the economy – will aggressively slash carbon emissions, giving Washington a powerful tool to meet the state’s 2030, 2040 and 2050 goals. The bill includes crucial and innovative measures designed to reduce local pollution in historically overburdened communities alongside greenhouse gas emissions. This landmark bill will next be considered by the House of Representatives.

“Washington’s elected leaders are setting the model for the rest of the country to follow. By tackling emissions from all major sectors of the economy, requiring emissions reductions that can meet its science-based goals, and designing their climate program to simultaneously make progress addressing disproportionate pollution burdens, this bill provides strong solutions that match the ambition needed from states on the climate crisis. The Climate Commitment Act can play a vital role in building a healthier, clean economy in Washington that invests in and lifts up communities across state. We are excited to see it considered by the House and move quickly to Governor Inslee’s desk.”

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager for U.S. Climate

Read more about how the Climate Commitment Act can help Washington state achieve its climate goals in this EDF blog.