Gov. Jay Inslee released the following statement today after the White House's announcement of new actions to advance a cleaner industrial sector to boost American manufacturing and cut emissions, including $6 billion in grants to reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing and the launch of the Federal-State Buy Clean Partnership, of which Washington is a member. Member states have committed to prioritize efforts that support the procurement of lower-carbon infrastructure materials in state-funded projects, and to collaborate with the federal government and one another to send a harmonized demand signal to the marketplace.
"I welcome today’s White House announcements that will accelerate our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support American manufacturing at the same time. As a member of the Federal-State Buy Clean Partnership, we’re ready to work together with Washington industry to pursue federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for reducing emissions from industry and manufacturing as we transition to a cleaner future. The administration’s $6 billion in grants to reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing will help us greatly.
"Both states and the federal government have a critical role to play in reducing climate pollution from our buildings by incentivizing clean manufacturing of building materials. Emissions from production of building materials account for an estimated 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. There’s a tremendous opportunity for partnership with industry as we build a stronger market for clean, domestically produced materials with a lower-carbon footprint.
"Washington has advanced Buy Clean and Buy Fair policies in recent years with pilot projects, building a database for tracking embodied carbon in building materials, and my Executive Order 20-01 directing state agencies to consider embodied carbon in new state buildings. Through the Pacific Coast Collaborative, we are pursuing a West Coast-wide task force to advance low-carbon construction.
"Washington businesses are known for innovation, which we see in every corner of the state. Whether it’s using recycled steel to make rebar or opening a cross-laminated timber mill, our state is uniquely positioned to show what’s possible, and to reward that ingenuity. Our Legislature is currently considering Buy Clean and Buy Fair legislation. SHB 1282 would help us gather information and reward the best producers of clean building materials who provide good, living wage jobs. It’s time to reward our innovators and proceed full speed ahead to decarbonize our industrial sector and lead in clean manufacturing."
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES...
Inslee statement on legislative priorities following house of origin cutoff.
WSDA NOW ACCEPTING SEAFOOD PROCESSORS PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND SAFETY GRANT APPLICATIONS
AG Ferguson files eight felony animal cruelty charges against Everett man.
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
Senator Murray Statement on the President’s Budget Request.
Murray, DeLauro Introduce the Paycheck Fairness Act.
“This meaningful milestone isn’t the final stop,” says Cantwell
Cantwell: This bill “would guarantee the right to an abortion for every American, everywhere”
3) WORLD & NATIONAL HEADLINES
The President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget--US Sec. of State
NATIONAL HEADLINES
FACT SHEET: The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.--WH
U.S., Israeli Leaders Discuss Partnerships, Threats in Middle East--DOD
4) BUSINESS NEWS
Former Wall Street Precious Metal Traders Sentenced for Wire Fraud
5) LOCAL MEETINGS & FOCUS STORY
From the US Dept. of Interior: President’s 2024 Budget Advances Efforts to Address the Nation’s Wildfire Crisis Through Workforce Reform, Investments in Wildland Fire Management Programs
More than $4.2 billion for the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture wildland fire and hazardous fuels management.
WASHINGTON—The Biden-Harris administration today submitted to Congress the President’s budget for fiscal year 2024, which includes significant funding increases for wildland fire and hazardous fuels management. These investments will help address the nation’s wildfire crisis and implement comprehensive reforms for the wildland fire management workforce that provide stronger financial and health support to wildland firefighters, who are the backbone of wildland fire management nationwide.
The workforce reforms proposed in the FY 2024 budget request will increase federal and Tribal firefighters’ pay, invest more in their mental and physical health and wellbeing, improve their housing options, and expand the number of permanent firefighters. These reforms build on the temporary pay increase provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The permanent pay reforms require authorizing legislation, and the Administration is committed to working with congressional leaders on developing a comprehensive legislative proposal.
“Wildfires fueled by climate change and ongoing drought continue to reinforce the need for a well-supported wildland fire management workforce that is available year-round to protect lives, communities, infrastructure and ecosystems throughout the country,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “The President’s 2024 budget proposal supports our ongoing effort to shift away from a temporary, seasonal workforce toward a more permanent team that can conduct wildland fire management year-round, including activities to reduce wildfire risk throughout the country.”
“Wildland firefighters save lives, protect communities and serve on the frontlines to confront our nation’s wildfire crisis,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We must take better care of them in return by addressing challenges that have plagued them for decades. Better care means better pay and benefits, better housing, better mental and physical health resources, and better work-life balance for these people who have given so much.”
Last year, nearly 69,000 wildfires burned more than 7.5 million acres across the country. On average, wildfire activity, severity, size, and cost are escalating. Wildfires that are larger, more intense, and harder to control threaten lives, communities, and valuable resources. In addition, wildland firefighters, who now face a fire year instead of a fire season, spend more time on the fireline and less time at home. ( see full story)
Local meetings
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Commission Work session for 3/13/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132023-751
Clallam County Commission regular meeting for 3/14/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03142023-752
Regular Port Commission Meeting, Port of Port Angeles Scheduled for 3/14/23
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
* No agenda available on their web page.
City of Sequim Council meeting for 3/13/23
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2775
City of Forks Council meeting for 3/13/23
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Agenda-20230313.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 3/13/23
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3-13-23-WEB-Packet.pdf
OMC Board meeting for 3/15/23
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AGENDA-March-15-2023-Business-Meeting.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 3/13/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/c8e7bbc3-fc2d-45bb-912f-bdb375270c1c
