From Earth Day to Arbor Day, one week in Washington shows momentum in clean energy transition
Rooftop solar, EV rebates, hydrogen-powered planes and new anti-pollution rules highlight the many ways we’re building a clean, green future
Our climate is changing and our health is at risk due to human-caused pollution, but a look at just one week in Washington reminds us that we can ebb this tide and support our communities through decarbonization.
Monday: Building out clean energy and cutting bills for low-income homes
Earth Day began with news of $156 million for rooftop solar in Washington thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Powering homes and businesses with solar reduces bills, saves energy, increases home values, creates jobs, improves health, and reduces pollution. Solar power also cuts out other dangerous pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
These “Solar for All” funds create grants and loans to provide solar power to low-income households, community solar projects, Tribal solar programs, and other initiatives. The $7 billion program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, is expected to create 200,000 new jobs while installing solar on top of 900,000 homes across the country.
“Every community deserves clean, affordable, reliable energy, and Solar for All is a game changer for America and a giant leap toward a more just and equitable transition,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “This record investment from the Biden administration will save hardworking families billions on their energy bills, improve health, and support local jobs and businesses.”
Tuesday: First-in-the-nation EV incentive for low-income buyers
On Tuesday, the state Department of Commerce unveiled a new rebate program to help lower-income households purchase or lease electric vehicles. The $45 million program is the first of its kind in the nation, and will provide cleaner transportation for thousands of people who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Under this new program, an individual earning up to $45,000 annually or $93,000 for a family of four would be eligible for up to $9,000 in rebates for a three-year lease or $5,000 for a new EV purchase or two-year lease. Used EVs are also eligible for up to a $2,500 rebate on purchases and leases. This means a buyer can lease or purchase an EV for as little as $56 per month.
This follows news from February that the Department of Commerce is providing $85 million in grants to fund 5,000 vehicle charging stations in communities throughout the state with the help uf funds from the pollution-capping Climate Commitment Act.
“We’re centering working people in this transition — prioritizing affordability while also reducing the health impacts and pollution from burning fossil fuels,” Inslee said. “Washington already has one of the highest rates of EV adoption in the country, and we’re doing this in conjunction with a rapid expansion of our state’s EV charging network thanks to the Climate Commitment Act.”
Wednesday: Decarbonization in aviation
Decarbonization is also expanding through our state’s rich history of leadership in aviation and aerospace. The new era of innovators includes companies like ZeroAvia in Everett, which on Wednesday cut the ribbon on their new Propulsion Center of Excellence for the production of hydrogen-powered drivetrains for airplanes. These engines have the potential to replace fossil fuels in commercial aviation. ZeroAvia has submitted for FAA certification its first powertrain for up to 20-seat planes and is working on larger powertrains for 30- to 90-seat aircraft to be ready by 2027.
Carbon emissions account for about 70% of the exhaust produced by aircraft. ZeroAvia is just one of several innovative businesses in Washington looking to decarbonize this sector through new technologies from sustainable aviation fuels at companies like Twelve to electric aircraft at companies like Eviation.
“Washington is once again shaping the history of aviation,” Inslee said at ZeroAvia’s ribbon cutting event.
Thursday: Landmark anti-pollution rules advance environmental justice
The good environmental news continued Thursday with strong new anti-pollution rules from the Biden-Harris Administration.
The rules will require coal and new methane gas plants to cut their carbon emissions by 90%. They also require coal plants to slash harmful emissions of mercury and air toxics by nearly 70%, reduce their pollution in wastewater, and safely manage coal ash contamination.
This is also a climate justice win. Most fossil fuel plants are located in low-income and overburdened communities. The pollution from these plants infects surrounding communities with asthma and shorter lifespans.
In Washington state, our 100% clean energy law requires our power supply to be coal-free by 2025. Washington is funding massive investments in clean energy projects and power grid improvements to enable those projects, thanks to revenue from policies like the Climate Commitment Act. These include solar and energy storage projects to be developed by Tribes, other large scale solar development, projects to modernize the electric grid and prepare it for the rapid increase in electric vehicle use, and dual-use solar projects on agricultural land.
“These new EPA rules are profound tools in the fight against pollution and climate change. With the power sector accounting for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, addressing pollution and requiring cleaner energy will serve our economy and bring environmental justice to our communities,” Inslee said.
Our state’s ecosystems also received additional good news Thursday with the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s decision Thursday to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades over the next five to 10 years.
The North Cascades is prime habitat for grizzly bears, but it has been nearly 30 years since the last confirmed grizzly sighting in the region. Reintroduction — done slowly over a period of years — will restore balance to our state’s natural heritage.
Friday: Arbor Day promotes community forestry
The week that began with Earth Day was bookended by an early Arbor Day celebration on the state capitol campus Friday hosted by the Department of Enterprise Services and Department of Natural Resources. The governor spoke to young Washingtonians about the state’s ecological heritage then joined them in a tree-planting ceremony.
A healthy tree canopy is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the negative impacts of climate change in our communities. They decrease temperatures on hot summer days, help conserve energy, sequester carbon, reduce stormwater runoff, and help keep our air clean.
More trees also bring more biodiversity. They provide habitats for pollinators and other species. They can even provide cover to keep aquatic breeding grounds cool enough for salmon to thrive.
“In politics we talk about bringing people together under a big tent. This Arbor Day, let’s bring people under a big tree canopy to work together for a more sustainable world,” Inslee said.
The Climate Commitment Act is supporting a grant program to help more cities and Tribes plant trees in urban areas affected by the effects of climate change.
