Planning the greener future

Editorial published in Seattle P.I. on Jan. 30, 2009

If there is an advantage to a poor economy, it's the chance to slow down and plan a better future. Environmentalists have a package of proposals that would lead to smarter energy use and a more sustainable, vibrant economy.
Environmental organizations have developed a package of four major areas of legislation for the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire this year. Many of the proposals build on earlier successes on climate change and energy efficiency.
The environmentalists portray their 2009 legislative agenda as ambitious, which is true but appropriate to the challenges ahead in energy, climate and pollution. Lawmakers and the governor should look beyond the painful necessities involved with budget tightening to the opportunity to put the state in position for a robust recovery that is environmentally and socially healthy.
There are encouraging signs. Gregoire, for instance, has strongly embraced a new push on climate change, an area in which she and the Legislature already have made Washington a leader. Two bills that she requested, HB1819 and SB5735, would move the state ahead significantly on creating a cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
We're disappointed that, for political reasons, the governor failed to lay out a clear plan for requiring industries to purchase most or all pollution credits. Instead, her proposal would leave the details to a task force. (Sort of reminds us about how the state is "solving" education funding issues.) We're concerned that giving companies the right to pollute up to or close to historic levels would end up enriching them with no real gain to consumers. But, if legislators and the governor don't make a call now, the task force would, at least, offer a path for a good debate and final decisions.
On the overall issue, moreover, the governor continued to show smart, focused leadership. Asked about imposing higher expectations during the economic climate, she said, "Look at Detroit." Washington, she said, cannot sit back thinking it is doing well enough on energy and the climate for now, and then expect to be able to catch up with a new green economy later. Procrastination and complacency are a recipe for economic obsolescence and, if allowed on a broader scale, climate disaster.
Indeed, if lawmakers fail to enact the climate change bill, the legislative session will be a failure. The state would be engaged in a Bush-era retreat from climate science.
Another priority for environmentalists has been encouraging building codes to promote "super-efficient" homes and offices. The governor's legislation also encompasses that idea, seeking a 30 percent increase in new buildings' energy efficiency over 2006 standards.
Another smart piece of legislation, Rep. Sharon Nelson's HB1490, would require local governments to consider greenhouse gas emissions in their land-use plans. That would help move the state toward much more transit-oriented communities, which will be critical to affordability and mobility. And a clean water bill would tackle some of Puget Sound's problems by imposing a small fee on oil products most likely to end up in storm runoff. The estimated $100 million in annual revenue would go to clean-water infrastructure projects.
Legislators and the governor face nearly overwhelming budget challenges. But, as Gregoire has said, it's vital to prepare for recovery. Enacting strong environmental measures will assure the state's people a healthier future and a stronger economy.

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