Public Meeting on Climate Change

Public meeting to gather input on the development of the state’s integrated climate change response strategy will be held:

December 10th, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas St.
Wenatchee, WA 98801

In 2009, the Washington legislature passed Senate Bill 5560 directing the Department of Ecology to partner with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation “to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” The strategy is due to the Legislature in December of 2011.

The agencies are requesting initial feedback from the public. These meetings will be used to provide an overview of the strategy framework, provide background on the need for such a strategy for Washington State. Check the DOE website for more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm.

Media Focuses on Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is gaining attention in Washington. An article in the Seattle PI today, July 21, 2008, details what the state has been doing with regard to rainwater collection. The article also prompted an hour of debate on KIRO (710 a.m.) radio’s Dori Monson program. You can download and listen to a copy of the show here, click on the 1:00 pm-2:00 pm slot.

The Council continues to work with a broad group of stakeholders and attend meetings on this issue as part of our overall efforts to promote sustainable development in Washington. We encourage the use of reclaimed water and see potential for captured rainwater to expand the availability of usable water in our state.

Climate Change & GMA Bill Revived

Never say die while the legislature still meets. Thursday, the House Local Government Committee voted against ESSB 6580 dealing with climate change and the Growth Management Act.

Alas, all is not lost for poor old ESSB 6580. It has been given new life. After some behind the scenes work an agreement was reached. The bill was amended and passed out to the House Appropriations Committee. Representative Deb Eddy (D-48, Kirkland) brokered the compromise agreement.

Also, after working the committee leadership an architect was added to the study committee.

Here is a quick summary:

Section 2: Requires CTED to develop advisory climate change response methodologies, computer programs and estimates to be made available to local governments

Section 3: Pilot project for up to 3 counties and 6 cities that are addressing climate change through land use and transportation planning.

Section 4: Requires CTED to prepare report on the actions of cities and counties to address climate change issues, recommendations for changes to planning statutes, descriptions of computer modeling on greenhouse gas emissions, assessment of state/local resources to implement recommendations on climate change mitigation and additional funding for such purposes. This section also establishes an advisory policy committee to assist the department with the tasks of the bill. Among the non-voting ex-officio members is “one member representing an association of architects.”

Section 5: This section gives safe harbor from lawsuits to those counties and cities participating in the pilot program created in Section 3.

One concern left with the bill is that while it provides protections for cities and counties in the pilot study, the lawsuit immunities were not extended to the climate change response methodologies and modeling. The study and pilot projects should encourage innovation in the development of performance standards and not in developing rote requirements that stifle innovation. The threat of lawsuits over climate change planning under the GMA will hamper creative solutions and only serve to prolong the planning process. Providing a safe harbor for cities and counties trying to mitigate climate change is a wise policy and will benefit the environment more than unproductive, lengthy and costly litigation.

AIA/WA will continue to work to perfect the bill as it moves forward.

GMA Bill on Climate Change Stalls in the House

Substitute SB 6580, regarding climate change impacts on the Growth Management Act processes, failed to pass the House Local Government Committee. The bill was subject to a great amount of debate and several amendments in committee. Representative Geoff Simpson (D-47, Covington) offered a striking amendment that tweaked the latest version of the bill. Republican amendments and one Democrat amendment were either ruled out of order or defeated. In the end the bill fell several votes short of getting out of committee. All of the Republicans and two Democrats voted against the bill.

Representative Deb Eddy (D-48, Kirkland) offered an amendment that would have removed the pilot projects and CTED rulemaking provisions and left the study provisions intact. The amendment was ruled as outside the scope and object of the bill by the Chair and thus was not allowed to be brought up for a vote.

Today’s move functionally kills the bill. Although, bill can be resurrected by being referenced in a budget document. However, the provisions of the bill could be added to the budget as proviso language directing the Department of Community Trade & Economic Development (CTED) to implement the study, initiate the pilot projects and conduct the rulemaking. While a budget proviso would only be in effect until the end of this biennium (July 1, 2009) it would be more than enough time for the study to be completed and give a head start to the other provisions. It would basically get the program started and the proponents would have to finish the work in the 2009 legislative session.

Senate Passes Climate Change Legislation

The Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6580 addressing climate change issues within the context of the state’s Growth Management Act. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Trade, Economic and Community Development (CTED) to “develop and provide advisory climate change response methodologies, computer modeling programs, and estimates to and cities that include a range of methodologies and estimates.”

ESSB 6580 also establishes a pilot program for three counties and six cities to begin implementing climate change related elements in their land use and transportation plans.

Finally, the bill creates a new advisory committee to work with CTED in overseeing implementation of the bill and developing the next steps. The committee will evaluate the Growth Management Act and try to determine what changes should be made to reduce climate change impacts.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.