Tag Archives: Clean Air Act

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

Boehnke says passage of environmental-law bill was premature

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… The state Senate should have held off Tuesday on considering a bill that would overhaul several state environmental laws in ways that are likely to discourage economic development, said Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick.

“Democrats and Republicans agree this is a very complex bill – but that doesn’t mean it’s also good policy that is ready to become law,” said Boehnke, ranking Republican on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, said of Senate Bill 5360.

“This bill needs more balance, and there needs to be further discussion about what else it’s missing. The House has the bill now, and maybe it can still be turned into something reasonable – but the better answer may be to have the House take no action so we can try again next year.”

The partisan bill would expand entity liability for corporations, local governments, and organizations, update sentencing and penalties, create and reclassify existing crimes, and repeal outdated statutes.

“Sometimes a bill is brought to the floor of the Senate before it’s ready, and frankly, this is an example of one that needed more work in committee. It’s more about crimes and penalties than the ‘environment,’ so the bill really should have gone before the Senate Law and Justice Committee instead of or in addition to ours.

“Those who violate environmental law should be accountable, and I support the part of this bill that would hold local governments to the same standard as the private sector,” said Boehnke. “But still, I’m worried about over-zealous prosecution, the voice of local businesses being lost, and the potential economic harm to local communities.”

The 29-20 vote on SB 5360 had just one Democrat joining Republicans in a no vote.

For more information about Boehnke’s legislative work, visit matt.boehnke@leg.wa.gov.

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Boehnke bill to update vehicle-emissions rule attracts strong public support

OLYMPIA… As Sen. Matt Boehnke suspected, there is strong public support for legislation he has proposed to realign Washington’s vehicle-emissions rules with federal standards instead of California’s.

Today the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held a public hearing on the Kennewick Republican’s measure, which also aims to bring more accountability to state emissions standards. Of those registering their views online, 1,865 people indicated support for the bill, while 665 opposed it.

“This is a significant step toward realigning our state’s emissions standards,” said Boehnke, the committee’s ranking Republican member. “Since 2005, Washington has followed California’s vehicle emissions standards, but California is a massive state with a larger population and different challenges.

“Washington needs to chart its own course rather than simply following California. I figured a majority of people in our state would share that view, if my bill was allowed a public hearing, and the numbers we saw in committee confirm that.”

Under SB 5091, the Department of Ecology would be required to submit annual reports on the state’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Boehnke noted that would be a major improvement from the current biennial reporting system, which offers no data newer than 2019.

The bipartisan bill would not alter Washington’s greenhouse-gas reduction targets but seeks to improve transparency and accountability in meeting those goals.

Under the federal Clean Air Act, states may follow federal emissions standards or California’s more-stringent rules. Washington is among several states that have chosen the latter. In light of its smaller population and lower number of vehicles, Boehnke argues, Washington should not want to remain tethered to the California policy.

“This bill ensures consistency with the Clean Air Act while preventing Washington from adopting outdated California emissions standards,” he said. “Our emissions profile is vastly different, and we should have regulations tailored to our state’s unique needs.”

While SB 5091 did not receive committee approval before today’s 5 p.m. deadline for action on policy legislation, Boehnke is aware that bills remain in play until the Legislature adjourns for the year.

“I don’t know why the majority was reluctant to move this bill forward. Was it out of concern for Ecology, or a desire to mimic California, or something else? But I’m not letting go, because I believe most of the people are with me on wanting this change.”

 

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