Climate Action This Week
  • Basic Income Pilot Program
  • Climate Response Plan Updates
  • Improving Electric Power System Transmission Planning
  • Addressing Landlords’ Damage Claims
  • Developing Climate-Ready Communities
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* Your information

Priority 1: We think this action should take around 5 minutes.

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* 📜 1. Creating the evergreen basic income pilot program - HB 1045

Economic inequality continues to widen the gap between the top few earners and working/low-income families, and disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. Climate change, disability status, and major life transitions are all associated with high economic instability. This bill will establish a statewide basic income program to provide monthly payments to residents of Washington state who qualify as low-income and are experiencing a major life transition such as homelessness, immigration, disability, exiting foster care or the criminal/juvenile justice system, etc. This program would be a direct cash assistance program with no restrictions or requirements for recipients, and would greatly help Washington residents who are struggling under the weight of unprecedented income inequalities.

Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning TODAY on Wednesday, January 11, 1:30 PM.

✏️ Please sign in here to support HB 1045 before Wednesday, January 11, 12:30 PM and select “Pro” in the position button. The time isn’t a typo - the sign-in must be sent at least one hour BEFORE the hearing.

Miss this deadline? You can still sign in here to provide a written comment in support of HB 1045 before Thursday, January 12, 1:30 PM.

📑 The first sentence of the written comment should be: I strongly support HB 1045.
Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own.
  • Economic inequality continues to widen the gap between the top few earners and working/low-income families. This disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.
  • Climate change, disability status, and major life transitions are all associated with high economic instability.
  • Providing a basic income to the economically vulnerable helps all of us -- the more people who can participate in and contribute to the economy, the better.
  • The more we can reduce poverty and improve families’ long-term well-being, the healthier our society will be.

All done? Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom and click the orange “DONE” button to submit your actions!
Priority 2: We think these two actions should take around 5-10 minutes.

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* 📜 2. Improving climate resilience through updates to the state's integrated climate response strategy - HB 1170

This bill updates and modernizes the state’s 2012 climate response plan, requiring key state agencies to work together. It permits guidance from the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington and provides for better coordination to improve access to unprecedented levels of federal funding for climate resilience. The updates to this plan are designed to:
  1. Prioritize actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate preparedness;
  2. Protect vulnerable populations by providing more equitable outcomes;
  3. Prioritize actions that deploy natural solutions, restore habitat, and protect human health;
  4. Consider adaptable approaches to prepare for uncertain climate impacts.
350 WA CAT recommends this action.

Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy on Thursday, January 12, 8:00 AM.

✏️ Please sign in here to support HB 1170 before Thursday, January 12, 7:00 AM and select “Pro” in the position button.

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* 📜 3. Concerning electric power system transmission planning - SB 5165

This bill requires both public and investor-owned utilities to create 20 year plans that incorporate state emission reduction goals and opportunities to make more effective use of existing transmission capacity through energy efficiency, demand response, grid modernization, and the electrification of transportation and other end uses historically met using fossil fuels.

Washington must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions under state law, and this will require a significant increase in the use of renewable or non-emitting electricity. Expanded transmission capacity and the more effective use of existing transmission capacity will enhance the reliability of the electric power system and increase access to more affordable sources of electricity within the state.

350 WA CAT recommends this action.

We know that the most effective strategy for making our voices heard is by contacting our own legislators. Simply put, legislators care what their constituents think.

✏️ Please contact all three of your legislators using this comment form on the state website and let them know that this impactful climate bill needs to pass this year. When you “verify” your district, you can select which of your elected leaders to communicate with.

“Position” - please select “Support.” The first sentence of the written comment should be: “I support SB 5165. Please do all you can to make sure this bill is given a hearing and passed out of committee.”

📑 Here are some talking points you can add as to why you support the bill:
  • Our climate ambitions are only successful if we are future focused. This bill will expand each utility’s integrated resource plans to be based on forecasts over 20 years.
  • We must take action to expand transmission capacity and make more effective use of existing transmission capacity through efficient energy and grid modernization.
  • All utilities should include consideration of Tribal treaty rights and environmental protection for sensitive habitats in their transmission planning.
  • To increase resiliency, utilities should also be required to increase their support for distributed resources like rooftop solar and energy efficiency programs like demand response.

All done? Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom and click the orange “DONE” button to submit your actions!
Priority 3: Do you have time for more? We think these last two actions should take about 5-10 minutes.

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* 📜 4. Addressing documentation and processes governing landlords' claims for damage to residential premises - HB 1074

Deposits and moving fees often present significant barriers to helping low-income tenants secure new housing. Without clear guidance governing when landlords may withhold a security deposit for damage to a unit, renters are often unable to contest improper charges and fall into debt to their landlords. This bill prevents landlords from charging tenants for ‘wear resulting from ordinary use’ when they terminate their leases. It also requires landlords to provide itemized lists of repair charges they are deducing from deposits so tenants know exactly what they are being charged for and can more easily contest charges.

350 WA CAT recommends this action.

Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Housing on Thursday, January 12, 8:00 AM.

✏️ Please sign in here to support HB 1074 before Thursday, January 12, 7:00 AM and select “Pro” in the position button.

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* 📜 5. Developing opportunities for service and workforce programs to support climate-ready communities - HB 1176

This bill establishes a Washington Climate Corps to provide climate-related service opportunities for young adults and veterans, with the objective of building low-carbon and climate-resilient communities and ecosystems while providing education, workforce development, grants for equitable access to the Corps, and career pathways to service members. A clean energy technology advisory committee would evaluate clean energy technology workforce needs and the impact of Washington’s climate policies every two years.

These equity-centered, climate-related programs will provide more service opportunities for young adults and veterans of all backgrounds, especially those from vulnerable populations, while also meeting the needs of communities across the state, especially those disproportionately impacted by environmental and health burdens.

350 WA CAT recommends this action.

✏️ Please contact all three of your legislators using this comment form on the state website and let them know that this impactful climate bill needs to pass this year. When you “verify” your district, you can select which of your elected leaders to communicate with. Although this is a house bill, select all three of your legislators.

“Position” - please select “Support.” The first sentence of the written comment should be: “I support HB 1176. Please do all you can to make sure this bill is given a hearing and passed out of committee.”

📑 Here are some talking points you can add as to why you support the bill:
  • This bill will promote environmental justice and prioritize service in vulnerable and overburdened communities.
  • We must mobilize to create the clean energy economy and strengthen our communities in the face of climate impact.
  • This bill will provide career pathways to service members.
  • The Washington Climate Corps would support workforce training for clean energy technology occupations, and would analyze how the existing skills and training of the workforce can fill the needs of clean energy jobs.

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* Thanks for taking action with us! How did that go?

-- The 350 WA Civic Action Team

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