Washington’s hydropower resources provide the state with the lowest combined electricity price across all sectors and one of the least carbon intense electricity mixes in the nation. Maintaining this competitive edge is key to preventing leakage
Clean & Prosperous Washington
Newsletter
Creating the Win-Win: Low Carbon Prosperity
Washington’s unique clean and competitive energy assets position the state to succeed in a well-designed regulatory climate encouraging the use of less carbon intense energy sources. Businesses in Washington State have a leadership opportunity to drive a policy outcome.
By the Numbers: Reducing Carbon Emissions in Washington State
Where do Washington’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from? What are we doing to reduce GHG? Washington legislated GHG reduction targets for 2020, 2035, and 2050. The latest Ecology numbers are available from Ecology’s GHG emisisons inventory and for 2011 via the Climate Emissions Reduction Taskforce (CERT) website and materials. Perhaps more interesting, when considering Washington’s targets, are the projected emissions for 2035, compiled by the Climate Legislative and Executive Workgroup’s technical consultant, Leidos.
Running on Empty: Washington States transportation funding dilemma
1.) The fuel efficiency of vehicles is rising fast
2.) Fuel taxes are the single largest component of state transportation funding
3.) Stagnant gas tax revenues can’t keep pace with growing road use
4.) Failing grades. Enormous funding needs.
What is a dollar of energy efficiency worth?
Several months ago we wrote here about the Community Energy Challenge, a Northwest Washington program designed to save energy and create jobs by making it really easy for homeowners and small businesses to implement energy efficiency improvements in their buildings. There is no doubt that the program is effective saving energy; participants in the CEC are saving a combined total of more than $645,000 every year, an average of a 23% reduction in energy costs for each participating homeowner. This is the equivalent, in carbon terms, of taking more than 1,300 cars off of the road.
Australia’s Lessons On a Carbon Tax: Get It Right
Learn by doing. That appears to be one conclusion from Australia’s recent repeal of their carbon tax. The carbon price began on July 1, 2012 at AU$23/tonne. It was levied on Australia’s top emitters and rose to AU$25/tonne, yet on July 17, 2014 it was repealed just two years after taking effect. The Aussies deserve a pat on the back. They tried on a carbon pricing policy which didn’t fit well. The lessons learned can benefit U.S. states including Washington as we work to develop the right framework for a thriving low-carbon economy.
Many Challenges Ahead For Electric Vehicles
Washington’s Electric Vehicle (EV) statistics look great on a national level. The percentage of new vehicle registrations that are EVs is higher in Washington than in any other state and the number of public charging stations and outlets makes Washington fourth in the country. Yet Washington’s high rankings in some ways speak more to the general absence of EV infrastructure nationwide. EVs make up only 1.6% of new registrations in Washington, and the infrastructure consists of a mere 1,700 stations and outlets primarily concentrated in the Seattle area. Addressing this lack of infrastructure as well as the limitations of EVs is critical for making them a practical option for the average Washingtonian.
Energy Conservation Adds Wealth in WA
(Originally Posted on Plan Washington Website) Community energy efficiency programs keep Washingtonians working, and conserving energy, while bringing robust economic benefits and improving building stock. This is no accident. Energy planners in the...