Late Friday night, the US House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 228-206. This is a big deal, with historic investments in climate, clean energy, natural infrastructure, coastal restoration, forest restoration and resilience programs, including more than $200 billion in priority programs that The Nature Conservancy has been advocating for over the past year.
In addition to the major infusion of investments for agencies and communities across the country, the passage of the bill affirms that nature and climate are our countryβs most fundamental infrastructure. We wrote about what the bill means for Washington back in August, when the Senate passed it, focusing on the many benefits of nature and people. Over the weekend, Senator Cantwell shared a more comprehensive summary of how the investments will touch down in our state, too. Now, with House passage, the bill heads to President Bidenβs desk for his signature.
Whatβs next?
Weβre busily preparing for the major investments headed our way to benefit nature and people in Washington. Our conservation teams and many partners are hard at work getting ready to put this funding into on-the-ground, in-the-water action for healthier, more resilient communities. Stay tuned for details on how the work will show up in your own neighborhood.
Importantly, while the bipartisan infrastructure bill represents major steps forward for federal climate action especially, much work remains to be done. As we celebrate this progress, we continue to advocate strongly for the Build Back Better Act, which will deliver additional, much-needed climate investments to help the US meet its 2030 emissions reductions goals and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
Banner photo by Benj Drummond.
Carousel photos: Benj Drummond, Kent Mason, Dave Lauridsen, Hannah Letinich, Courtney Baxter, Heather Van Steenburgh, Keith Lazelle.
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its 2024 session. We celebrate new investments in climate resilience and the clean energy transition, while reflecting on the complex dynamics of protecting our stateβs Climate Commitment Act.
The 2024 state legislative session is underway! The Nature Conservancyβs highest priority for the 2024 legislative session is ensuring the success of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). With revenue from the CCA cap-and-invest program, we have an opportunity this session to make big investments in Natural Climate Solutions, a just transition, Environmental Justice Council recommendations, and investments to attract federal climate funding.
Local elected officials and community leaders join TNC staff for a tour of the Greening Research in Tacoma (GRIT) project, to learn about opportunities to improve air quality and green infrastructure in communities overburdened by pollution.
State Legislators visit the Cle Elum Ridge to learn about about TNCβs forest health work, including prescribed fire, tree thinning, and tree mastication. State funds secured thanks to House Bill 1168 help to make wildfire resilience work possible.
Since 2016, The Nature Conservancy in Washingtonβs involvement in the climate advocacy space has progressively increased. Throughout this journey weβve seen that partnerships and coalitions are one of the most powerful ways to achieve broad support for climate legislation.
The 2023 Legislative Session in Olympia saw some major achievements for nature and people: investments in improving air quality, natural climate solutions, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and better long-term resiliency planning. A big thanks to our staff who dedicated their efforts to our priorities.
Trustee Lobby Day is a highlight every year here at The Nature Conservancy. Itβs a wonderful reminder of the real reason for our advocacy and policy efforts- to strengthen the relationship between people and nature so that both can thrive.
Passing a budget is one of the most important roles the State Legislature plays, as it determines how policies will be implemented and reflects what we value as a state. Our team dug into the details to see how our priorities are faring so far.
Realizing our clean energy future means rapidly transitioning to a clean, affordable, reliable, and sufficiently expansive energy grid. With HB 1216, the Washington State Legislature has the opportunity to take an important step towards that this session.
The 2023 legislative session is half-way complete - letβs check in on our priority bills, and whatβs left to come.
Nestled in the mountains of the Central Cascades, the Teanaway Community Forest (50,241 acres) has been a conservation gem intended as a refuge for people as much as nature. In the past ten years, transformative restoration efforts including wildfire prevention and stream restoration have created a healthier forest that benefits people, wildlife, and the lands. Thereβs more work to be done.
Thirty years ago, Washington passed the Growth Management Act (GMA)βlegislation that has helped communities across the state plan ahead. In the face of a changing climate, itβs become clear that the GMA also needs to be updated for our new climate realities.
In addition to building on the progress of the last few years, the 2023 state legislative session presents a momentous opportunity to invest in nature and people with the 2023-25 biennial budget.
Washingtonβs landmark climate law takes effect on January 1 β and you can still help shape it!
Leaders from across the region came together at the Nisqually Cultural Center for Puget Sound Day on the Sound.
Help protect King Countyβs best and last green spaces by voting YES on Prop 1 this November.
Speak up for cleaner air for all Washingtonβs communities by submitting a public comment to the Department of Ecology as they shape our new air quality program.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a big win for climate action. Hereβs what it means for Washington.
The Inflation Reduction Act is on its way to President Bidenβs desk, putting the U.S. on the path to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030.
Congress approved a $1.5 trillion FY2022 omnibus spending package to fund the federal government through Sept. 30. Weβre pleased to see the solid investments for conservation, climate resilience, and clean energy included in this bill.