For Washington, the next few years will bring continued drought and wildfire risk, surging electricity demand, difficult or disappointing crop harvests, and the complex challenge of weaning the state off fossil fuels.
The state’s next governor will likely be forced to confront these challenges posed by climate change head-on. In fact, the upcoming gubernatorial candidates are expected to try to repeal the outgoing administration’s landmark achievement, the Climate Commitment Act of 2021.
Yet the leading Democratic and Republican candidates, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and former Rep. Dave Reichert, have not made climate change a central focus of their campaigns. And ballots for next month’s Washington state primary are already on voters’ doorsteps.
The candidates have outlined their top priorities online, with Ferguson barely mentioning climate change, ranking it second only to earthquakes, and Reichert not mentioning the issue at all.
Washington’s next chief executive officer will have a big role to play in this area, especially since he will be replacing Gov. Jay Inslee, who has made great efforts to brand himself as the nation’s chief executive officer. Climate Governor.
No political candidate could be more “greedy” about climate change, said state Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle).
Yet, where do they stand on this issue?
Ferguson and Inslee disagree or strongly disagree on some topics, but they seem to be on the same page. Reichert, on the other hand, acknowledges climate change but says he thinks “people at the top” are in control of it. Asked to elaborate, Reichert did say that the state should aim to reduce carbon emissions.
Aseem Prakash, a political scientist at the University of Washington, said he was surprised by the lack of focus on climate in the campaign, especially given the importance of the Climate Commitment Act.
“It’s absolutely shocking that even in the great state of Washington, climate and environmental issues are not the top issue in the state,” Prakash said.
Troy Abel, a professor of environmental policy at Western Washington University, said the omission might make sense, given that national polls show climate change is a big concern. Low Rank He said the issue is one that motivates voters, so potential candidates would have little to gain from taking a hard-line policy stance on it and would risk alienating marginal voters.
To learn more about their specific priorities, The Seattle Times reached out to the front-runners and their two closest contenders, state Sen. Mark Mallett and Republican Rep. Semi Byrd, whose field will officially be narrowed down to just two candidates in the Aug. 6 primary. Here’s a little glimpse into where they stand.
Climate Commitment Act
The Climate Commitment Act has been controversial since its inception, but in its second year, it has largely worked as intended: It has collected more than $2 billion from the state’s major polluters for efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for natural disasters.
The policy works by using carbon markets to sell carbon allowances to polluters, each equivalent to emitting one ton of greenhouse gases. This process has also contributed to higher gas prices in Washington, an expected (though initially conservative) outcome.
State officials estimate that gas prices have risen 25 to 35 cents as a result of the policy. But those who want to repeal the CCA with Initiative 2117 have relied on insinuations throughout the campaign, pointing out that gas prices in the state are historically high and placing much of the blame on Governor Inslee.
Ferguson, who defended the CCA in court, said he would vote against the repeal, as did Mallett. Voted for Federal Cap-and-Trade Program As a member of the council, he says he will vote in favor of repeal, as will Byrd.
Ferguson said in an email that if voters reject the repeal, his administration would consider providing assistance to farmers and others disproportionately hit by high fuel prices. Ferguson also wants to use CCA funds for things like energy credits for ratepayers and tax credits for working families.
After all, the state legislature Decision-making body The governor decides how to allocate that money, but he decides whether to approve the budget.
Ferguson said the government would also consider whether to relax requirements for deep carbon cuts in coming years, while keeping the goal of a 95% reduction by 2050.
Mallett said he also wants to adjust how the state handles future carbon auctions to ease the financial burden on residents. He previously introduced a bill that would have scaled back Washington’s original emissions reduction targets, but it failed in the Senate.
Reichert took a different approach.
“The bill gives the Governor the authority to hit the pause button — now,” he said in an email. Carbon Market Programme“If elected, I’ll press the pause button and repair the broken parts and the promises.”
The bill does not appear to contain an exception that would allow the governor to unilaterally halt the policy, and Reichert’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
Byrd’s campaign had not agreed to an interview for this story at press time.
However, if the 2117 bill passes, Washington’s next governor will be able to set a target for the state’s emissions reductions ( Clean Energy Transition Act) may be phased out without the continuing benefit of funds raised by the CCA.
Ferguson said he would rely on Washington’s Clean Energy Fund to boost clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. Since the fund was created in 2013, the state Legislature has provided $281 million in energy project grants, according to Glenn Blackmon, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Energy Policy. For comparison, the controversial Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm in Benton County would cost an estimated $1.7 billion to fully build and would only produce about 5% of the clean energy the state needs through 2035.
Similarly, Mallett said his administration will use up remaining CCA funds and look for other parts of the state budget to fund new green projects.
Reichert said he would convene a wide range of industry and community stakeholders to find a compromise, but did not provide further details on the matter.
Rapidly increasing demand for electricity
Demand for electricity in Washington state is growing, especially as people switch to heat pumps and electric vehicles and businesses work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The state’s energy needs could increase 20% by 2030 and nearly double by 2050. On top of that, an influx of data centers to support our increasingly online lifestyles is creating a wave of additional demand.
Not only is demand surging, but clean energy supplies are struggling to keep up. An ongoing drought is hindering hydroelectric generation, and there are ongoing calls to remove dams on the lower Snake River, which would benefit the environment, especially salmon, but would further reduce Washington’s clean energy resources. Additionally, other renewable projects, like the massive Horse Heaven Hills Wind Farm, face challenges from red tape and local opposition.
Experts predict that demand for electricity could exceed supply as early as 2030 due to surges in winter and summer demand.
Ferguson noted that rising energy costs are hurting Washingtonians, but he didn’t offer details on how his administration would address the added costs and generate more clean electricity. Ferguson’s website says he wants to invest in clean energy research and development, and briefly outlines a strategy to streamline regulatory processes to fast-track new projects, decarbonize existing infrastructure, and upgrade heating and cooling for homes and commercial buildings.
His website also mentions the need to “build resilience as water level fluctuations and droughts threaten the reliability of hydroelectric power,” but provides no further details.
Ferguson declined to say whether he supports removing dams on the Snake River.
Mallett said he doesn’t support destroying the dams. Energy demand is growing too fast for Washington state to retire its generating capacity. He said the state should consider using modular nuclear reactors to make up for the looming shortfall.
Reichert also said he opposes breaching the dam, but had little to say about how his administration would address growing demand for electricity.
“In the Legislature, I advocated for an all-inclusive approach to energy,” he wrote. “As Governor, I intend to do the same.”
Diesel or hybrid ferries?
The largest portion of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from Transport SectorOne area of focus has been the state’s struggling ferry system.
State officials unveiled a new hybrid ferry design last month but need to find a shipbuilder who can build it by 2028.
But gubernatorial candidates want to move faster, even if it means continuing to rely entirely on diesel engines.
Ferguson’s website says he will immediately request proposals to get two new ferries ready as soon as possible, “including diesel ferries if that is the quickest solution,” and will also request three hybrid ferries.
Mallett also said the state would continue to use diesel fuel, saying the state’s ferry system was in a “total crisis” and could not tolerate any more delays.
“We need to get the boat out on the water,” he said.
Reichert said the plan is to build up to five diesel ferries early and convert them into hybrid vessels later.
