Evergreen May 2022: Together May Flowers Bring People Power with a New Climate-Friendly Building Code and Lummi Led Efforts to Save Salmon

May 11, 2022

 

 
Washington Passes Codes to Transition Buildings off of Fossil Fuels in Nationwide First
By Ruth Sawyer, Climate and Clean Energy Organizer Organizer • 530 words / 2.5 min
 
This past Earth Day, April 22, the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) voted 11-3 to adopt a new statewide commercial and multifamily building energy code that will be the strongest, most climate friendly in the country by driving the transition to clean electricity for space and water heating. This major win for clean energy coincided with President Joe Biden’s Earth Day Seattle visit where he discussed the infrastructure bill and the clean energy transition, and comes amidst a growing wave of policies to electrify buildings across the country. 
Learn About Our Victory
 
It’s Time For WA to Clean Up Dirty Cars, Trucks and Buses For Good
By Eric Willadsen, Campaign Representative, Transportation for All
 
The Department of Ecology is approving three rules in 2022 that will set the state on track to achieve 100% new EV sales by 2035, while also bolstering pollutant reduction and fleet reporting requirements to reduce air pollution from heavy duty vehicles. If the Department of Ecology adopts a strong version of these rules, it will help transition WA to a future that prioritizes clean air for all while reducing dangerous and unhealthy particulate matter in environmental justice communities that currently bear a disproportionate burden of transportation-related air pollution. Sign your name to urge WA policymakers to adopt the strongest rules as possible.
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Support Indigenous leaders at the ‘Spirit of the Waters’ Totem Pole Journey

Without uninterrupted runs along the Snake River, chinook salmon cannot migrate to their historic spawning waters and allow another generation of salmon to return to the sea. Orca have long depended on these salmon to survive. Now, orca pods face starvation as the salmon population dwindles.

Join Lummi tribal members, the House of Tears Carvers, and Se' Si' Le for the Spirit of the Waters totem pole journey across the Northwest to support the indigenous-led movement to remove the Snake River dams: 
Join an Event Near You

Senator Patty Murray’s Updates on Key Issues

What are the latest plans for the Lower Snake River Dams? Does Congress have the will to act on the climate crisis - and how can we help facilitate this? Are there updates on preserving public lands and legacy forests? Which bills will help get fossil fuels out of transportation and buildings? 
 
Join the Sierra Club Zoom on May 19th at 6pm. We’ll hear from Shawn Bills, Senator Murray’s State Director, on these and other critical issues. He’ll also answer questions during the Q&A session. What’s your concern? Submit your question now!
RSVP to Join via Zoom
 

Join Our Team

Sierra Club Washington State Chapter is hiring a Communications Associate, and the deadline for applying is this Friday, May 6! This person will be charged with developing and implementing strategies and tactics across traditional media and digital channels to advance our priority campaigns, engage our supporters and the public in our mission, and enhance our visibility and credibility in the environmental movement.
Learn More & Apply
 
Digital Action Update: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Hears Our Voice on Wolves Loud and Clear!
 
Gray wolves are native to Washington. Historically, they were a part of our ecosystems, and even played an important role in the culture and spirituality of people indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, they were nearly completely eradicated from the state in the early 1900s, with the growth of farming and ranching. Thanks to newer government protections, the wolf population has again grown in recent years - but it still numbers under 200 individuals total - and they are still at risk of being killed as a result of conflict between wolves, ranchers, and livestock.

In April, the Sierra Club Washington Chapter asked supporters to submit messages to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) asking the agency to prioritize non-lethal deterrence in its wolf-livestock management plan as part of an official public comment period. The response from our activists was huge, resulting in the submission of 743 letters. We couldn’t have done it without activists like you, and we’ll continue to stay engaged on this issue - thanks for all you do!
 

Our Reading List

Greenwire: Supreme Court abortion ruling could have climate fallout.
The bombshell draft opinion signaling that the Supreme Court is about to overturn Roe v. Wade has implications that reach far beyond abortion access and could affect environmental law and climate policy for years to come.

Washington Post: Canada lynx protections deal sealed by US, environmentalists
U.S. wildlife officials have agreed to craft a new habitat plan for the snow-loving Canada lynx that could include more land in Colorado and other western states where the rare animals would be protected, according to a legal agreement made public Tuesday.
 
Greenwire: Building codes: The new natural gas battlefront?
Washington became the first state in the country to mandate electric heat pumps for new buildings late last month, marking a new arena in national debates over how and whether to phase out natural gas.

Washington Department of Ecology: Be air aware & prepared
Breathing clean air is important for everyone. Air quality agencies across the country are highlighting “Air Quality Awareness Week” to help residents learn about air pollution and how to protect their health.
 
Grist: Ending the sale of gas cars by 2030 was a radical idea. What changed?
Washington state has officially taken on the 2030 target, after almost adopting it last year. Governor Jay Inslee signed the broader “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package into law at the end of March, setting a deadline for all new cars registered in the state to be electric. 

Propublica: She’s Supposed to Protect Americans From Toxic Chemicals. First, She Just Has to Fix Trump’s Mess and Decades of Neglect.
Biden promised to prioritize people over polluters. His pick to deliver that, Michal Freedhoff, is facing a bare-bones budget, demoralized staff and increasingly angry advocates.

 
 
 
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