Local Solutions to Global Warming (Substitute Bill SB 6580)

Update: Local Solutions to Global Warming was signed by the Governor on April 1, 2008.

In order to achieve the State’s goal to significantly reduce global warming pollution, responsible decisions need to be made to reduce driving and meet growing demand for green, walkable communities. The choices made in local land use and zoning plans about where a growing population will live, work and get around have a huge impact on global warming emissions. Local Solutions to Global Warming will provide local governments with the tools and support to achieve their local reduction goals.

Local Leadership: Local jurisdictions representing nearly 70% of the state’s population have committed to major reductions in their global warming pollution. The challenge of successfully confronting global warming – reducing our future emissions and adapting to the anticipated impacts – will require a coordinated statewide effort and support.

Benefits

• Reduces transportation pollution. Transportation – the cars and trucks we drive – makes up half of the global warming pollution in the entire state. As Washington continues to grow we must build in ways that allow us to accomplish more with less driving.
• Protects farm and forest land. Poorly planned development is the leading cause of farm and forest conversion – another contributor to global warming.
• Increases building and energy efficiency. About 25 to 30 percent of total U.S. energy consumption is used for building operations- such as heating and cooling. Integrating green building design into more compact communities can reduce building energy use up to 50% at little additional cost.

Legislative Proposal

This bill sets in motion the important first steps to help local governments reduce their climate impact.  By focusing on developing the necessary tools, this bill supports those municipalities that are taking action at the same time as we lay the ground work for the future.

SSB6580

• Directs CTED to provide cities and counties with a tool to inventory, measure and estimate land use related greenhouse gas emissions; CTED can choose to create a new tool or update an existing modeling system.
• Creates a competitive grants program available for cities and counties that are already taking action or are interested in beginning to address climate change through their land use and transportation planning.
  
• Requires a report from stakeholders to the legislature by the end of the year to make recommendations of  policy changes are necessary for local governments to address climate change through their land use and transportation plans rtant first steps to help local governments reduce their climate impact.
  

Lead Contact: Megan Blanck-Weiss, Futurewise, 206-343-0681 x121 or megan@futurewise.org

3-3-08