Read the Report.
Seattle- Washington receives a gold star for its energy policies across
the board, according to America’s Clean Energy Stars, a new report
released today by Environment Washington. The report highlights the states that
have taken strong action to reduce global warming pollution and increase their
energy efficiency.
“This report offers the proof that Washington state
is leading the way in advancing our nation’s clean energy economy”, noted Tony
Usibelli, director of the state Community, Trade & Economic Development
Energy Policy Division. “Our state’s economy is among the strongest in the
nation and policies such as these that promote clean energy enterprises are
certainly part of the equation,” added Usibelli.
The report looks at
five areas though which states can address their energy use. Washington is one
of only three states with “gold star” level policies in all five of the areas
the report analyzes.
*Renewable Electricity Standard (Adopted by voters
by Initiative 937 in 2006)
*Clean Cars Program (Passed by legislature in
2005)
*Energy Efficiency Programs (Adopted by voters by Initiative 937 in
2006)
*Appliance Efficiency Standards (Passed by legislature in
2005)
*Building Energy Codes (Passed by legislature in 2005)
“We are
proud to see all the work we have put into advancing clean energy policy in
Olympia make Washington one of the top three states in the nation for addressing
global warming,” said Bill LaBorde, program director of Environment Washington.
“The energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in Initiative 937
along with the other policies outlined in this report, together equal about half
of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions called for in state law,” said
LaBorde. “With global warming the most pressing issue of our generation, it is
time for Congress to follow Washington’s lead and pass a strong energy bill this
session.”
“Because nearly half of Washington’s global warming pollution
comes from transportation, the Clean Car bill I sponsored in 2005 is a key piece
of our strategy to meet our state’s targets for greenhouse gas emission
reductions,” said Senator Ed Murray (43rd Dist – Seattle). “With our work on
this bill, we spurred Oregon and other states into action. Now it’s time for
Congress to move these sorts of policies forward at the national level as
well.”
Environment Washington is a statewide citizen-based
environmental advocacy organization. We are the new home of WashPIRG’s
environmental work. The full report can be found at
www.environmentwashington.org
