Energy

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2642: Exempting emissions associated with lubricants from coverage under the cap and invest program.

HB 2642 exempts emissions from lubricants (and certain other fuel products) combusted outside Washington from the state's cap-and-invest program requirements. It amends the definition of "covered entities" under Washington's climate law to exclude emissions associated with lubricants produced or imported for use outside the state. This means companies manufacturing or importing lubricants that are shipped out of Washington for combustion elsewhere would no longer have those emissions counted toward the 25,000 metric ton CO2e threshold that triggers participation in the cap-and-invest program. The bill directly affects lubricant producers and importers whose products are delivered outside Washington for end-use. This change reduces reporting obligations for these entities under the program's current structure.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest, weakening climate program scope by reducing regulatory coverage of emissions.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest program, reducing regulatory scope of Washington's climate law and weakening emissions coverage.90% confidence

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2285: Concerning the use of carbon capture and utilization, mineralization, or sequestration technologies under the Washington clean energy transformation act.

HB 2285 amends Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act to allow electric utilities to count electricity from natural gas power plants using carbon capture, utilization, mineralization, or sequestration technology toward the state’s 2030 and 2045 clean energy targets. This directly affects utilities required to meet the 100% clean electricity standard by 2045 under the Act. The bill clarifies that carbon capture technologies can be used to offset emissions from natural gas generation, making such projects eligible for compliance. It responds to legislative findings about energy reliability needs during extreme weather and Washington’s potential for carbon storage. The policy change does not alter existing emissions limits but expands eligible resources for meeting clean energy goals.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAllows natural gas with carbon capture to count toward clean energy targets, weakening the 2045 standard by permitting fossil fuel use to meet requirements.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows natural gas with carbon capture to count toward clean energy targets, weakening the 100% clean electricity standard under the Clean Energy Transformation Act.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Oil & Gas Renewable Energy

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 6165: Limiting the exercise of eminent domain for the purposes of constructing electrical transmission facilities on agricultural lands.

SB 6165 limits the use of eminent domain to acquire private agricultural land for constructing major electrical transmission facilities (115,000 volts or higher). It directly affects farmers whose land might be targeted for transmission projects and utility companies seeking to build such infrastructure. The bill requires developers to first prove all feasible alternatives on public lands or existing utility corridors have been exhausted before using eminent domain on agricultural land. This policy change modifies certification rules for transmission projects, mandating a detailed evaluation of public land options in all project applications.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts land acquisition for transmission infrastructure, hindering renewable energy project development by requiring exhaustive alternatives before eminent domain use on agricultural land.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 6168: Providing cost relief to Washingtonians by suspending certain requirements in the climate commitment act.

SB 6168 temporarily suspends specific requirements under Washington's Climate Commitment Act (sections 70A.65.060 through 70A.65.210 and related rules) from its effective date until December 31, 2027. This suspension aims to provide cost relief by halting compliance costs that the bill states are increasing fuel, utility, and essential goods prices for households. The measure directly affects the implementation of the Climate Commitment Act, which would have required certain emissions reductions and reporting from utilities and businesses. By pausing these requirements, the bill targets relief for working families, fixed-income individuals, rural residents, and small businesses disproportionately impacted by rising costs. The suspension is declared an emergency to take effect immediately.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergySuspends Climate Commitment Act requirements, weakening emissions standards and reducing compliance costs that increase utility prices.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentSuspends emissions requirements of Climate Commitment Act, weakening environmental protections by halting compliance costs tied to emissions reductions.95% confidence

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2486: Controlling costs imposed by the state energy code.

HB 2486 aims to reduce construction costs for housing by adjusting Washington's state energy code requirements. It directs the state building code council to prevent cost increases when updating the energy code, specifically prohibiting new requirements that would raise construction costs for homes under 1,700 square feet beyond 2026 baseline levels during 2026 and 2029 code cycles. Code officials can approve less costly energy code alternatives for small residential projects if full compliance would be "economically impractical" (costs wouldn't be recovered through energy savings within 10 years), and must allow affordable housing projects to use older, less expensive energy code versions. The bill directly affects homebuilders, developers, and local code enforcement officials for single-family and small multifamily residential construction.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits cost-increasing energy code updates for small homes, restricting stricter efficiency standards that would raise construction costs beyond 2026 baseline levels.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces construction costs for housing by limiting energy code cost increases, directly advancing affordability for small homes under 1,700 sq ft.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Building Codes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 6056: Exempting utility service vehicles from certain motor vehicle emission standards.

SB 6056 exempts utility service vehicles from Washington's motor vehicle emission standards, which otherwise adopt California's rules under federal law. It directly affects utility companies (like power and gas providers) whose service vehicles operate in Washington. The bill adds a specific rule requiring the Department of Ecology to exempt these vehicles, defined by federal trucking regulations (49 C.F.R. Sec. 395.2), from the emission standards adopted under state law. This change modifies existing rules without altering the broader emission requirements for other vehicles.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts utility vehicles from emission standards, weakening clean energy regulations for energy infrastructure operators.80% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts utility vehicles from emission standards, weakening pollution controls. Directly removes regulatory requirements for emissions under state law.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationExempts utility vehicles from emission standards, weakening regulatory requirements for transportation vehicles under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2662: Ensuring that responsible principles of investing are incorporated into the investment decision making of the Washington state investment board.

HB 2662 requires Washington's state investment board to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into managing public retirement and trust funds. It prohibits investments in companies involved in forced labor, coal production, tobacco manufacturing, severe environmental harm, or violations of international humanitarian law, while still prioritizing strong financial returns. The board must annually report on how these principles guide investment decisions and develop proxy voting guidelines to address related risks. This directly affects the board’s management of billions in state funds, including retirement accounts and public trust assets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires ESG integration in state investments while prioritizing financial returns, promoting fiscal responsibility in fund management.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits investments in coal production, a major fossil fuel energy source, directly restricting a key energy production method per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits investments in companies causing severe environmental harm, directly advancing environmental protection through state investment policies.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits investments in forced labor, directly protecting workers' rights under social ESG criteria as part of investment policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5856: Exempting emissions associated with lubricants from coverage under the cap and invest program.

SB 5856 exempts emissions from lubricants (like motor oil or industrial grease) from Washington's cap-and-invest program, which regulates greenhouse gas emissions from large polluters. This means companies using lubricants will no longer need to account for emissions from these products when calculating their total emissions under the program. The bill amends the definition of "covered entities" in the cap-and-invest law to exclude lubricant-related emissions from the 25,000 metric ton annual threshold that triggers regulatory coverage. It directly affects businesses that use or produce lubricants, such as manufacturing facilities, automotive services, or industrial operations. The change simplifies compliance for these entities by removing a specific emissions source from the program's requirements.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest program, weakening emission regulations under energy policy.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest program, reducing regulatory coverage and weakening greenhouse gas emission controls.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Climate Change

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5941: Allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts.

SB 5941 allows small school districts (with 500 or fewer students) in specific rural counties to be exempt from requiring renewable energy systems (like solar panels) in new school buildings over 10,000 square feet. The bill requires the state building code council to create this exemption by January 1, 2027, without forcing districts to meet additional energy efficiency requirements to qualify. It directly affects eligible school districts in counties designated as one climate zone under existing law, such as Adams, Benton, and Yakima. The exemption applies only to new construction or major additions, not existing buildings.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAllows exemptions from renewable energy requirements for small rural schools, weakening mandatory clean energy adoption standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts rural school districts from renewable energy requirements, weakening environmental standards for new school buildings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5811: Establishing a tax on certain business activities related to surpluses generated under the zero-emission vehicle program.

SB 5811 establishes an excise tax on certain business activities related to surplus zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) credits generated by vehicle manufacturers in Washington state. The existing ZEV program requires manufacturers to sell a minimum percentage of ZEVs or acquire credits, allowing some to generate surplus credits. This bill imposes a 2% tax on the sale price of ZEV credits sold to other manufacturers, and also applies to the pooling and banking of these surplus credits. The intent is to tax these "windfall profits" and reinvest the funds into other programs that promote cleaner vehicles and support state climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 2% tax on ZEV credit sales, generating state revenue for budget management.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill taxes ZEV credit trading (2% on sale price), adding cost to the mechanism supporting the ZEV program, which weakens the incentive for manufacturers to produce surplus credits and thus undermines the clean energy standard.80% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTaxing ZEV credit sales reduces market liquidity, potentially weakening the ZEV program's effectiveness in promoting EV adoption and environmental goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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