Tag Archives: climate

Boehnke’s greenhouse gas-reporting bill unanimously clears House

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

OLYMPIA… As Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, Sen. Matt Boehnke has worked hard to improve the state’s energy policy. His bill to improve the state’s climate-data reporting is headed for the late-session step known as “concurrence” after receiving a second unanimous vote, this time from the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 5036 would transition the state from biennial to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting, giving lawmakers and the public timelier access to critical environmental data. By requiring the state Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce to report emissions yearly, the bill aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of Washington’s climate-action planning.

“This bill is about getting policymakers the information they need when needed,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “Annual greenhouse gas reporting means we’re not waiting two years to understand where we stand—it gives us the ability to respond faster, adjust strategies, and make decisions based on the most current data available.”

“We have a responsibility to make sure that our policies are not just ambitious, but achievable,” Boehnke explained. “This bill helps us track real-time progress, measure results, and hold ourselves accountable to the climate goals we’ve committed to. It’s a smart, practical step forward.”

By moving to more frequent emissions tracking, the bill will support stronger climate accountability by ensuring that state agencies remain transparent and current in reporting progress toward climate goals.

“When people see the numbers yearly, they can better understand how we’re doing and where we need to improve,” Boehnke added. “That kind of visibility builds trust, keeps the public engaged, and reinforces that Washington is serious about taking meaningful climate action.”

The bill passed the House on a 96-0 vote on April 10 after receiving unanimous support in the Senate.

The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.

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Boehnke bill seeks to free Washington from California vehicle emissions rules

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

OLYMPIA…Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, the new Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, has introduced a bill ahead of the 2025 legislative session that aims to separate Washington from California’s vehicle-emission standards.

Senate Bill 5091 would direct the state Department of Ecology to adopt rules that align with federal standards rather than California’s. Should the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency waiver that allows California’s emissions standards to depart from federal standards be reversed, the proposal is expected to receive attention in Olympia.

Boehnke’s bill also requires Ecology to submit yearly reports on Washington’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Year after year lawmakers have tried in vain to get Ecology to track the state’s GHG emissions better,” Boehnke explained. “The public deserves to know, to determine if the programs meant to reduce emissions are actually working.”

The system requires reporting every two years, but Ecology has fallen behind and only has data up through 2019. Supposedly, Boehnke said, data through 2021 will be made available by the end of 2024.

“Whether the data is five years old or just three years behind, that isn’t good enough if we are to assess the effectiveness of programs like the Climate Commitment Act.,” he explained.

Boehnke noted that SB 5091 does not change the state’s GHG targets but would simply hold the state more accountable for its progress toward those targets.

Under the federal Clean Air Act, the federal government sets vehicle emissions standards, but California is allowed to differ, and states may choose to follow California’s rules. Washington is one of several that has.

Boehnke said the incoming presidential administration is widely expected to rescind the waiver recently granted to California waivers. Washington law still requires DOE rules to match California. If SB 5091 passes, this will change, and Washington will follow the federal rules.

Boehnke expects his bill to be considered by the Senate ENET committee. The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to start Jan. 13 and end April 27.

AUDIO: A new bill seeks to separate Washington from California’s vehicle-emission standards while enhancing emissions reporting. Tracy Ellis explains. #waleg

LISTEN: https://ow.ly/hFvE50Uvvnq

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