Inslee’s legislative and budget proposals would create a comprehensive climate program to ensure the state meets its climate goals.--From the Governors Medium page dated 12. 15.20
Gov. Jay Inslee today outlined his climate policy package for the 2021–2023 biennium.
“Climate change is a health issue, an economic issue and an equity issue. We must address these very real threats to our state, and we cannot wait,” Inslee said at a press conference Tuesday. “The time to act is now. These proposals would reduce nearly 30 million metric tons of emissions by 2030 — a 35% reduction from current projections. And these standards and investments — with justice at their core — will grow clean energy jobs in Washington.”
Inslee’s legislative and budget proposals would create a comprehensive climate program to ensure the state meets its climate goals:
Cap statewide greenhouse gas emissions and invest in clean energy, transportation and climate resilience programs, and fund part of the Working Families Tax Credit.
Establish a clean fuel standard and reduce transportation emissions through electrification.
Require new buildings to be carbon free by 2030 and eliminate fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050.
Require an environmental justice assessment for all climate related investments and create an Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Panel to analyze how climate investments impact communities most affected by climate change.
Invest $428 million in clean transportation, clean buildings and clean energy projects.
The governor is proposing legislation that will meet the new statewide greenhouse gas limits enacted in the 2020 session, improving climate resilience and reducing the impacts of climate change on communities highly impacted by environmental pollution.
The Climate Commitment Act will cap greenhouse emissions for the largest emitting industries and direct the proceeds from the sale of greenhouse gas emission allowances to a new climate investment account. Funds from the account would go towards clean transportation, natural climate resilience solutions, clean energy transition and assistance, and emissions reduction projects.
Investments from this account would also undergo an environmental justice analysis, ensuring funds are directed to the communities most impacted by climate change. This comprehensive program and it’s investments in the hardest hit communities will help improve climate resilience across the board and protect our environment, infrastructure and resources for future generations.
The governor’s budget provides $12.6 million to begin implementation of the Climate Commitment Act, including establishing a comprehensive climate program to coordinate the state’s resilience actions and to hold the state accountable to achieving the greenhouse gas limits.
Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who will sponsor the legislation, said this bold legislation is a much-needed step toward environmental justice and a clean energy economy.
“As our state begins to break out of the grip of the pandemic, I believe courageous climate action that invests in clean energy jobs, embeds equity at every level and reduces emissions to Paris Accord levels is central to rebuilding our quality of life,” Carlyle said. “I’m proud to join with Governor Inslee and Rep. Fitzgibbon to be a light among the states to strengthen and grow the economy while reducing emissions. We can show the path forward.”
Establish a clean fuel standard and reduce transportation emissions.
Inslee’s proposal for a clean fuel standard would mean Washington would join the rest of the West Coast in adopting this important tool to reduce vehicle emissions. Oregon and California have demonstrated that a clean fuel standard can provide great benefit in emissions reductions, while having a negligible impact on fuel pricing.
The transportation sector is responsible for nearly 45% of all Washington’s emissions. By reducing the amount of carbon in our fuels, emissions will be reduced by 4 million metric tons a year when the program reaches full implementation in 2035.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, chair of the House Environment and Energy Committee, said that reducing transportation emissions is vital in Washington’s effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
We must address the biggest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in our state, the transportation sector, in order to meaningfully address the climate crisis,” Fitzgibbon said. “With the governor’s support, I will again introduce a bill to implement a clean fuels program to improve local air quality, promote rural jobs in agriculture, timber, and manufacturing, and bring Washington into alignment with our West Coast neighbors who already have strong programs to combat pollution from transportation fuels.”
Renewable Energy Group (REG), which produces biofuel in Grays Harbor, also supports the legislation.
“A program like this would accelerate the use of clean fuels, resulting in cleaner air, more jobs and local economic development,” said Kent Hartwig, director of corporate affairs for REG. “Washington has the opportunity to join in on the leadership along the West Coast in moving to cleaner fuel solutions today.”
The governor’s budget includes $2.85 million for the Department of Ecology to implement the program.
Also included in the proposed budget is $230 million to invest in electrifying buses, ferries and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Washington State Ferries is the largest consumer of diesel fuel in the state, using over 18 million gallons a year. The governor’s climate proposal includes funding to:
Convert a second electric ferry.
Construct a new, hybrid, Olympic class ferry.
Build three charging stations to support the new electric boats.
This builds on funding from 2019 to complete the electric conversion of a Jumbo Mark II vessel. Electrifying these vessels will save Washingtonians up to $14 million a year on ferry operating costs and will virtually eliminate noise and vibration that harm orcas.
The budget also includes funding to increase electric vehicle use in Washington, allocating $1.5 million to promote their use with a focus on access for low income communities.
Healthy homes, clean buildings
Residential and commercial buildings account for one-fifth of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest-growing sector in terms of emissions. In order to meet the greenhouse gas limits established by the legislature in 2020, the newest buildings must be constructed using high-efficiency electric appliances and without fossil fuel space and water heating. Existing buildings must also be retrofitted to reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
The governor also announced legislation that would eliminate fossil fuels from new residential and commercial construction by 2030 and would put Washington on a pathway to eliminating the use of fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050.
The governor is proposing $141 million in the capital budget to help meet these benchmarks.
This proposal would build clean jobs in Washington. Nearly 90,000 people worked in clean energy jobs in 2019, with the fastest growth in the building and construction industries. This legislation would accelerate that growth and create family wage jobs across Washington.
Environmental justice and equity
Climate change poses an existential threat to all communities, but the impacts fall disproportionately on those most marginalized.
The governor’s climate package centers environmental justice by reducing emissions in the most impacted communities, requiring that the benefits of the clean energy transition be distributed equitably and ensuring that overburdened communities have a formal role in climate governance.
The governor’s proposal would create a permanent Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Panel, which would recommend plans and proposals for funds in the climate investment account. Any investments from the newly created climate investment account would also need to undergo an environmental justice analysis to ensure that they are directed towards eliminating environmental harm and economic and health disparities for vulnerable populations.
The proposal would also implement the Environmental Justice Task Force recommendations, incorporating environmental justice into government structures, systems and policies. The execution of the recommendations would include funding for dedicated environmental justice staff at state agencies, including the Department of Ecology, Department of Commerce, Puget Sound Partnership and the Department of Natural Resources.
Senator Rebecca Saldaña, who joined the governor for the announcement, emphasized that climate goals and racial justice are closely tied.
“Because we can only achieve our climate goals by leading with environmental and racial justice, I am encouraged to see codifying environmental justice and fully funding the Office of Equity are prioritized in the governor’s budget rollout,” Saldaña said. “I thank him for his leadership and look forward to forming part of the team that will lead with environmental justice to advance a transportation sector clean fuels policy, the HEAL Act, a comprehensive carbon cap and strategic investments in economic recovery focused on a just transition and green infrastructure.”
Clean energy investments
In 2019, the Legislature passed landmark clean energy legislation. To build on that success, the governor is proposing $100 million for projects to develop, demonstrate and deploy clean energy technologies.
The proposed investments include:
$15 million to grid modernization projects to increase community energy resilience, support the use of renewable energy sources, deploy distributed energy sources and implement the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
$15 million for strategic research and development for clean energy technologies to meet the state’s climate goals and offer opportunities for economic and job growth.
$20 million for innovative approaches to electrify the transportation system.
$20 million for next generation clean buildings and electrification projects.
$20 million for grants to non-profits who provide revolving loans to help small businesses, nonprofit organizations, multifamily building owners and homeowners to reduce operating costs.
$5 million to decarbonize the maritime sector through electrifying ferries, vessels and ports; and adding charging and refueling infrastructure.
$5 million to dairy digester bioenergy projects that produce renewable natural gas and biofertilizers, with a focus on rural communities.
Alyssa Macy, CEO of Washington Environmental Council/Washington Conservation voters supports the proposal and stressed the importance of acting quickly.
“Future generations will look back at the choices we made today and know that we took care to solve the problems of our time,” Macy said. “For that to become reality, the legislature must act urgently to turn Governor Inslee’s science-based and equitable approach into reality. The time is now.”
Larry Brown, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, voiced his support for the proposal.
“The challenge before us is to address both the climate crisis and growing income inequality in a way that leaves no workers or communities behind,” Brown said. “Washington’s union movement is committed to addressing climate change while also promoting family-wage job opportunities, and we appreciate Governor Inslee’s efforts to make progress on both.”
Together, these policies would constitute the largest step Washington has taken to combat climate change in state history.
“By acting on these climate policies and investments, we will put our state on a path consistent with science and with equity,” Inslee said. “Our deeds will rise to what the climate crisis now demands — bold, transformative action that builds a prosperous future for all.”
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AG FERGUSON’S SWEEP UNCOVERS VAPOR PRODUCT COMPANIES ILLEGALLY SELLING VAPING PRODUCTS ONLINE TO MINORS.
Press release issued 12.15.20
AG investigators posed as minors, caught seven companies violating age verification law
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced the results of a sweep cracking down on illegal internet vaping sales into Washington. As a result of the sweep, five companies caught violating Washington’s age verification law — including one based in Spokane — will pay a total of $132,000 to the Attorney General’s Office, which will go toward continued enforcement of the law. Moreover, the five companies entered into legally binding agreements to change their advertising and online sales practices to comply with Washington’s youth access law. The Attorney General’s Office has or will file lawsuits against two more companies for the same issues.
Investigators from the Attorney General’s Office assembled a list of 148 online sellers of vapor products. The investigators then posed as minors or used false identifying information and attempted to make purchases of nicotine-containing vapor products. Washington’s law requires stringent age verification for online sales of vapor products. For example, vapor product sellers must verify the buyer’s age using a third-party service to crosscheck and confirm the buyer’s identity.
Seven of the 148 targets illegally sold products to the Attorney General’s investigators without verifying the ages of the purchasers, including one that completed the sale even when the investigator indicated they were 17 years old.
The sweep represents a continuation of Ferguson’s efforts to reduce youth access to vaping products. In 2016, Ferguson helped draft Washington’s age verification law. In 2019, he co-led the effort to pass legislation raising the purchase age to 21 for vapor and tobacco products. The new minimum age went into effect on January 1. In September, Ferguson sued JUUL, the largest e-cigarette company in the nation, for illegally targeting underage consumers in its advertising and product design.
“Parents are working hard to combat the youth vaping epidemic, but it can be a challenge,” Ferguson said. “That challenge becomes more difficult when companies don’t respect the rules. Companies that sell vapor products in Washington must follow our laws.”
Targets
Five of the companies caught in the Attorney General’s sweep all signed legally binding agreements to change their advertising and online sales practices to comply with Washington’s law. The companies that sold higher volumes of vapor products online or did not have a license will pay more to resolve the investigation and avoid a lawsuit. Collectively, the five companies sold hundreds of thousands of dollars in products into the state over the past four years.
The five companies that cooperated with Ferguson’s investigation will pay the following amounts to the Attorney General’s Office:
VanVal Vapor, based in Spokane, will pay $30,000.
Zenith, based in New York, will pay $50,000.
Local Vape, based in Henderson, Nevada, will pay $25,000.
Northland Vapor, based in Moorhead, Minnesota, will pay $7,000.
WOV, based in Castle Rock, Colorado, will pay $20,000.
Two of these companies, Local Vape and Zenith, also did not have the license required to ship vapor products to consumers. As part of their legally binding agreement, they will obtain a license before making any further sales into Washington state.
The Attorney General’s sting caught two additional companies that failed to cooperate with the investigation. Ferguson brought a lawsuit in August against E-Juice Vapors, a California corporation, for similar violations, including failure to obtain a license. E-Juice Vapors did not report their sales into the state. That lawsuit is ongoing.
A seventh company, Vaping Zone, based in South Carolina, also failed to follow Washington’s law, including obtaining a license. Vaping Zone only recently obtained legal counsel. They are on a short timeline to reach a resolution, or the office will file a lawsuit.
The vaping sweep
To conduct the sweep, investigators reviewed 148 websites offering online sales of vapor products.
In order to sell vapor products to Washington residents, retailers must do the following:
Clearly state Washington’s minimum legal age of purchase on their website.
Use a third-party verification service to confirm the purchaser’s name, age, and residential address
The retailer then needs to verify the credit card information, and it has to match the information the purchaser provides.
Then they have to get a signed certification from the purchaser, saying they are who they say they are, and they are of legal age to purchase vapor products.
When the package ships, the shipping documents need to clearly state the package contains vapor products.
And the package needs to contain information about Washington law regarding the purchase of vapor products by minors.
None of these seven companies did any of these things. In addition, four of the companies did not have a license to ship these products to consumers.
Many sites used an “age gate,” requiring visitors to either confirm they were of “legal smoking age,” or enter their birth date to confirm their age. Investigators tried to enter a birth date for a 17-year-old into the age gate on each site. All but one rejected that attempted purchase. Northland Vapor allowed what could have been a 17-year-old to purchase vapor products.
If the investigators got rejected by the age gate, they entered a fake birth date indicating they were of legal age, and used fake identifying information to make their purchase. If a company was following our law, this information was impossible to verify, and they were not allowed to make a purchase. All five retailers allowed purchases with the false information, meaning a minor could easily purchase vapor products.
All of the items investigators purchased had flavors advertised as either fruit, candy or other novelty flavors.
Ferguson’s September lawsuit against JUUL asserts it violated the state Consumer Protection Act by designing and marketing its products to appeal to underage consumers and deceiving consumers about the addictiveness of its product. JUUL’s unlawful conduct fueled a pervasive and staggering rise in e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction among youth.
Assistant Attorney General Brendan Selby and investigators Tony Perkins and Eric Peters are handling the cases for the office’s Complex Litigation Division.
The Complex Litigation Division provides representation on the office's most difficult, challenging and high profile cases. It also fulfills a leading role for the office in the enforcement of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. This includes monitoring and enforcing violations of advertising restrictions by the major tobacco companies, multi-state litigation of payment disputes and assistance with implementation of the public health provisions. Regulatory enforcement of the emerging e-cigarette and vaping industries is an increasing portion of this role.
Youth vaping epidemic
The use of e-cigarettes among teenagers has skyrocketed. For example, in 2016, 13 percent of high school sophomores in Washington used vaping products. In 2018, that number nearly doubled to 21 percent. In 2011, less than one percent (0.6) of middle schoolers used e-cigarettes. By 2019, one in 10 middle schoolers nationwide used e-cigarettes. This increase is undoing decades of advances in driving down youth smoking rates. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, vaping use among youth has reached “epidemic proportions.”
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Business payrolls show just 100 jobs added in November
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added 100 jobs in November and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for November remained the same as it was in October at 6.0 percent according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/november-2020-monthly-employment-report
Washington Courts: News and Information
Domestic Violence Work Groups’ Report to Lawmakers: Next Steps for Overhaul of State Domestic Violence Response Include Funding, Research, Training
December 15, 2020
http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=42820
COVID-19 safety behaviors remain necessary, even as vaccinations begin
OLYMPIA – As the first COVID-19 vaccinations begin this week, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is reminding people that it is very important to continue taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The initial distribution of vaccine is a major step forward. 20,475 doses arrived in the state as of noon today. While vaccines are a crucial tool in beating the virus, they can’t be used alone at this time.
PacifiCorp settlements decrease customer rates
Olympia, Wash. - PacifiCorp customers in Washington will see lower electric rates in 2021.--UTC
https://www.utc.wa.gov/aboutUs/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=692
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IN TODAY'S HEADLINE NEWS:
WORLD NEWS
Syria: Millions displaced, impoverished and traumatized, Security Council hears.
As the end of another year of war looms, “families in Syria remain without respite after almost a decade of conflict”, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Wednesday.
UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080262
Desert Locust ‘re-invasion’ threatens millions across Horn of Africa.
New Desert Locust swarms are forming in the Horn of Africa, threatening agricultural livelihoods and the food security of millions of people, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Wednesday.
UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080202
China undermining human rights by locking up rights lawyers, UN independent expert says.
China has mounted a "shocking" five-year assault on lawyers who stand up for human rights, putting them in prison and even torturing them, an expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council said in a statement on Wednesday.
UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080242
Cartoonist must be released on medical grounds, urge rights experts
An ailing Bangladeshi cartoonist who has been detained for allegedly spreading fake news about the country’s response to COVID-19, should be released immediately, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Wednesday.
UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080212
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Remarks by Vice President Pence at a Roundtable Discussion on Operation Warp Speed | Bloomington, IN--WH
Tiberius Platform Aids COVID-19 Logistics, Delivery--DOD
Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband on Supreme Court's Order in Favor of Colorado Church that Challenged COVID Restrictions
Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Intervened Earlier in the Litigation on Behalf of the Church with a Statement of Interest--DOJ
HUD AWARDS NEARLY $5 MILLION FOR REVITALIZATION PLANS IN ELEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS
ATLANTA - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today awarded nearly $5 million to eleven communities to help create plans to redevelop severely distressed HUD assisted housing and revitalize neighborhoods. Funded through HUD's Choice Neighborhoods program, these grants will help local leaders craft comprehensive, homegrown plans to revitalize and transform these neighborhoods.---HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_211
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Treasury Sanctions Companies for Supporting the Sale of Iranian Petrochemicals---US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1214
Get Ready for Taxes: Stay home and stay safe with IRS online tools--IRS
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions now to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-stay-home-and-stay-safe-with-irs-online-tools
Secretary Perdue Applauds USDA’s 2020 Accomplishments.
(Washington, D.C., December 16, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the accomplishments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the past year.
Company that Provides Travel Emergency Services Settles FTC Allegations it Failed to Secure Sensitive Consumer Data--FTC
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NEWS STORY COMMENTARY
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE MIGHT HAVE BIDEN & HARRIS THE VICTORY.
BUT! HOLD THE PHONE! A GLIMER OF HOPE STILL POSSIBLE?
This prospect of evoking Electoral Count Act.
According to a story which comes from the Hill: No, Biden hasn't won yet — one more nightmare scenario.
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/530306-no-biden-hasnt-won-yet-one-more-nightmare-scenario
Today during his show Rush Limbaugh mention and gone into the details how this could work in Trumps favor.
The Turtle Is Determined to Stop the One Long-Shot Scenario Left for Trump--Rush Limbaugh radio show today.
TODAY'S VIDEO:
Senate Hearing on Election Security & Administration
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on election security and administration issues.--CSPAN
https://www.c-span.org/video/?507292-1/senate-hearing-election-security-administration
TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE:
Luke 1:46-47, 49 (New King James Version)
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
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