What do Hawaii, California, New Mexico, and now Washington have in common? All four have made commitments to 100 percent clean energy. Last week, Washington’s state legislature officially passed one of the most ambitious clean energy bills in the nation. Washington is now committed to making the state’s electricity supply carbon neutral by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-free by 2045. The bill shuts the door on coal, saying it “is the policy of the state to eliminate coal-fired electricity.” By calling for energy to come from carbon-free sources by 2045, it leaves the door open for nuclear power. But with plentiful hydropower resources—the state already gets around three-quarters of its electricity from hydro—and booming renewable energy industry, the state will likely look to those resources more than costly nuclear plants to meet its commitment. In addition to committing to cutting emissions, the bill is also designed to ensure the transition to renewables and any bumps in energy prices aren’t shouldered by the poor. The bill says utilities “must make funding available for energy assistance to low-income households.” For Washington governor Jay Inslee, who requested the bill, the clean energy bill is a good testament to what he could potentially accomplish in the White House if he gets elected in the upcoming 2020 elections.
Washington state commits to running entirely on carbon-free energy by 2045
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