Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… In a landmark move to require more accountability from climate-related policies and programs, the Senate passed legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that would transition the state from biennial to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting.
Senate Bill 5036 would provide a more current snapshot of Washington’s emissions, allowing lawmakers to make more informed decisions in their ongoing efforts to meet climate goals.
“It’s important we get this emissions data quicker. The current delay in receiving timely data hinders our ability to finely-tune these policies effectively,” said Boehnke, the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee.
“A more frequent reporting cycle will allow us to assess the effectiveness of existing regulations quickly and make necessary adjustments to keep Washington on track to meet its emission-reduction goals. This bill is an important step toward greater accountability by setting up a process where we get real data to make better decisions.”
The new reporting framework would also align state policy adjustments with more up-to-date emissions trends, helping legislators and agencies refine climate programs that intersect with the state’s Climate Commitment Act, Clean Fuel Standard, and zero-emission vehicle policies.
Releases of GHG emissions data biennially, fail to provide the critical data needed to shape effective, science-based climate policies, Boehnke said.
“Currently, our greenhouse gas inventory relies on data compiled from the EPA and other sources. The latest inventory, published in 2024, included data only through 2021. This has created a multi-year lag between the period analyzed and the report’s release.”
Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Washington’s current climate policies aim to significantly reduce GHG emissions compared to a 1990 baseline, with a key 2030 target of lowering emissions to 45% below 1990 levels.
The 49-0 vote moved Boehnke’s bill to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.