Save Our SoundPuget Sound’s water and wildlife are in trouble. We want to leave our children the legacy of a clean and healthy Puget Sound, but that takes money and clout. Puget Sound Partnership was created in 2007 to take leadership, maintain oversight, and hold accountable those responsible for results over the long term. And we need continued bold action to prevent and clean up water pollution and protect and restore habitat. Visit Puget Sound Partnership website.
Support the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program
Preserves 133 places for parks and wildlife across the state. As our state’s population grows, so too does the need for recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and farmland. Supporting WWRP gives us an opportunity to protect those places that make Washington special and enhance our much-envied quality of life. Visit WWRP website.
Clean Air – Clean Fuels
Washington can become a dynamic, competitive leader in growing the clean fuel industry. The South King County Group supports energy independence, reducing fuel consumption and costs for state fleets; protecting our kids by cleaning up dirty diesel school buses; promoting advanced vehicle technology; and helping the state guard against health threats from global warming.
Past Accomplishments to Monitor
High Performance Green Buildings
On April 8, 2005, Governor Gregoire signed this bill into law, requiring state buildings, schools, and universities to be built and certified as high performance green buildings. This will result in buildings that save energy and water, are cheaper to operate, and improve student learning and employee performance.
Cleaner Air-Cleaner Cars
The governor signed Cleaner Air-Cleaner Cars into law on May 6, 2005. This law will reduce cancer-causing emissions and global warming pollution from new cars, increase consumer choice, and save consumers a bundle at the gas pump.
Oil Spill Prevention
The legislature passed legislation to create a citizens' advisory council modeled after the one set up in Alaska following the Exxon Valdex spill. The proposal for the advisory council had been fought vigorously by oil and shipping interests. Governor Gregoire will appoint the council's members, who will represent community, environmental, industry, and other interests.
Transportation
The legislature made serious improvements in the state's approach to transportation. They have created a new funding source (vehicle weight fees), which will raise $835 million for transportation choice investments. They funded the safe- (walking) routes-to-school program, provided new funds for transit, bike, and pedestrial improvements, improved trip reduction programs, and created an Office of Transit Mobility at the Department of Transportation.
Energy Efficient Products
Legislation passed that will require higher levels of efficiency in products such as commercial refrigerators and freezers, traffic signals, and incandescent reflector lamps. This will conserve millions of gallons of water and save consumers millions of dollars on electric bills.