About this blog

My name is Bill Hirt and I'm a candidate to be a Representative from the 48th district in the Washington State legislature. My candidacy stems from concern the legislature is not properly overseeing the WSDOT and Sound Transit East Link light rail program. I believe East Link will be a disaster for the entire eastside. ST will spend 5-6 billion on a transportation project that will increase, not decrease cross-lake congestion, violates federal environmental laws, devastates a beautiful part of residential Bellevue, creates havoc in Bellevue's central business district, and does absolutely nothing to alleviate congestion on 1-90 and 405. The only winners with East Link are the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington and their labor unions.

This blog is an attempt to get more public awareness of these concerns. Many of the articles are from 3 years of failed efforts to persuade the Bellevue City Council, King County Council, east side legislators, media, and other organizations to stop this debacle. I have no illusions about being elected. My hope is voters from throughout the east side will read of my candidacy and visit this Web site. If they don't find them persuasive I know at least I tried.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Washington's Leader-in-State-Level Climate Policy

The January 22nd Seattle Times Climate Lab article “Climate policy rollbacks from Trump won’t alter the state’s landmark laws” heralds the state continuing to be a “leader in state-level climate policy”.  That Washington’s 2019 “Clean Energy Transformation Act” required ending coal power generation in 2025 and fossil-fueled generator electricity by 2045. 

It resulted in the 2021 “Climate Commitment Act” requiring polluters buy ever-increasing carbon allowances as an incentive to reduce the emissions.  That the state’s work to reduce carbon pollution “to buttress communities and infrastructure against the effects of climate change will continue”.

The designation “leader in state-level climate policy” suggest other states will follow.  Yet coal consumption in states elsewhere fuels 49% of their electric power generation.  That China, who already emits more than 30% of the planets CO2, is adding 100 coal powered plants this year. That it will be “difficult” to “buttress the state” against the jet-stream carrying those emissions”.

Any climate benefit from the “states landmark laws” is limited to Washington only emitting 1.2% of the country’s 11% of planets, or ~0.12% of the total emissions.  Even that reduction overstates any potential benefits. The need to buy allowances will raise the costs for those buying electrical power.  Those using electricity to heat where they live or work, cook their food, or charge their EV.  Also, those using gas or diesel will pay more for the allowances refiners buy to provide the fuel.

 However, they don’t require allowances from those burning natural gas where they live or work or gas or diesel in their vehicles. They make up nearly 70% of the state’s total CO2 “pollution”.  Limiting any climate benefits from Washington from charging those who use the electrical power.

The bottom line is any benefits from ending Washington’s use of coal-powered generators will be dwarfed by CO2 emissions on jet stream from China.  That the climate benefits of allowance fees on Washington’s 0.12% of total emissions are limited by the failure to charge those burning natural gas where they live or work or fuel for their vehicles.

Thus it’s “unlikely” many states will follow Washington as the “leader-in-state-level climate policy”.

 

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