Transportation emissions are the largest producer of greenhouse gases in Washington state. In order to achieve the state’s climate goals — net zero by 2050 — we must make immediate and bold investments to reduce and decarbonize emissions in this sector. This year, the state Legislature has a unique opportunity to pass a transportation package that supports investments for sustainable and climate-focused transportation systems.
Supported by the passage of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—a bipartisan achievement full of robust funding for public transit, clean energy, natural infrastructure and habitat restoration—as well as Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which provides $5.2 billion to decarbonize emissions, the state Legislature is primed to pass a transportation package that invests in Washington residents and their future.
A transformative transportation package will:
Fully fund Washington’s transit capital needs: pedestrian, biking and public transit as identified by the Joint Transportation Committee’s Needs Assessment
Invest in equity and mobility: equitable transportation includes accessible sidewalks for folks who use wheelchairs and strollers, and access and infrastructure for all communities, not just those who have cars
Prioritize maintenance and preservation of existing infrastructure
Address transportation stormwater runoff with green infrastructure solutions
Meet tribal treaty obligations by addressing salmon habitat-blocking culverts
Reduce greenhouse-gas pollution from the transportation sector
Multi-modal investments
A transportation package would reduce overall vehicle miles traveled by making significant investments in sustainable and equity-based solutions like public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure while also driving an acceleration of electrification efforts, especially for state fleets such as ferries.
By prioritizing multi-modal transportation and strong decarbonization efforts, the state can ensure sufficient funding goes toward reducing emissions, an essential step toward meeting Washington’s climate goals.
Support for innovative water solutions
As part of the overall investment in Washington’s transportation network’s health and meeting tribal treaty obligations, a robust climate-forward transportation package would also prioritize watershed health. This means including funding for stormwater retrofitting and fish passage barrier removal as part of ongoing water quality and salmon recovery efforts.
Combating toxic pollutants
Roads and highways are the main source of stormwater runoff, the leading contributor of pollution in the Puget Sound Region’s waterways, which in turn harms wildlife and human health. The Nature Conservancy’s new stormwater heatmap tool outlines the disproportionate impact of this runoff on communities of color and provides a blueprint for targeting this pollution through investments in retrofitting.
An example of the impact of these efforts is the Aurora Bridge Bioswale project, completed in 2021, which now filters 2 million gallons of stormwater annually, cleaning out pollutants before they reach the Lake Washington Ship Canal and serving as a model for additional projects across the state. Learn more in our latest video:
Stepping up for salmon
There’s no denying the connection between the fate of salmon and the sustainability of Washington’s transportation system. Salmon are central to the health of our region’s ecosystem and its people, and we have both a legal and moral imperative to invest in their recovery. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act also included $1 billion for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program, which will help transportation agencies fix fish passage barriers that impact salmon.
A clean and just transportation package is a critical part of an equitable and sustainable future for Washington, helping us meet emissions-reduction goals and ensure a healthy environment for all.
Head to the Transportation Choices Coalition action page to urge your legislator to pass a clean and just transportation package today!
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. It’s 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 - let’s check in on our priority bills, and what’s 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. There’s more work to be done.
Thirty years ago, Washington passed the Growth Management Act (GMA)—legislation that has helped communities across the state plan ahead. In the face of a changing climate, it’s 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.
Washington’s landmark climate law takes effect on January 1 — and you can still help shape it!
This week, the 2022 Washington state legislative session concluded, with a few notable achievements for the environment in our state. Here at The Nature Conservancy in Washington, we built off the achievements from the 2021 session by securing investments and action in key climate and conservation areas.
We are thankful to have many environmental advocates in the Washington state Legislature, but with limited time, we’re calling on leadership to ensure climate, wildlife, and our lands aren’t sidelined as we make it over the finish line.
This year, the Washington state Legislature has the opportunity to pass funding to build green stormwater infrastructure under the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge in downtown Seattle, the busiest freeway corridor in the state.
A clean and just transportation package would greatly transform Washington while helping achieve the state’s climate goals, reducing emissions, and investing in a greener and more equitable future for all Washingtonians.
Members of our all-volunteer Board of Trustees trekked to Virtual Olympia for an action-packed day of discussing our legislative priorities. It’s more exciting than it sounds!
Read about two major ways the Legislature can help salmon recovery efforts this year, and how you can help make it happen!
Why do we ask you to “sign in pro,” and how do you do it? It’s an easy and fast way to speak up for nature!
Speak up for forests, trees and the people who depend on them by urging your legislators to support the Keep Washington Evergreen proposal this session.
On the heels of big legislative wins in 2021, this year’s state legislative session is an opportunity to advance important work for nature and people in Washington.
The success of the 2021 legislative session wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Tribal nations, Black- and Latinx-led organizations, and voices from communities of color calling for progress on climate justice.
2021 Legislative News from The Nature Conservancy news in the news media highlights