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Fighting for the environment and our communities on social media

This year’s Digital Week of Action was a huge success for our legislative priorities!

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Washington Supreme Court accepts review of case arguing state forests must be managed for “all the people”

In an exciting development, the Washington State Supreme Court has accepted the case for review, bringing us a step closer to clarity on the parameters for the state’s forestland management.

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What happens after you flush?

What happens after you flush the toilet? Where does it go? Who takes care of it? Is it possibly harmful to people or the environment?

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Celebrating our Lobby Week Wins

Our first ever all-virtual Environmental Lobby Week of Action was a great success!

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Long targeted by fossil fuel expansion, Tacoma takes significant steps toward protecting the Tideflats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 5 February, 2021 Media Contact: Zachary DeWolf, Communications Director, Washington Environmental Council: (206) 771-4207, zachary@wecprotects.org TACOMA–Yesterday the City of Tacoma took a significant step in improving oversight over fossil fuels in the Tideflats, and responded to widespread community outcry by rescinding a preliminary approval for an expansion of the SeaPort Sound bulk … Continued

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Our Approach to Carbon Pricing

A key indicator of climate change is found in the ever-increasing rate at which ice is disappearing across the planet; nearly 1.2 trillion tons each year. While the speed of ice loss is now in line with worst-case scenarios for people and our environment, we will not achieve climate justice without racial justice. We must … Continued

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The Crisis of our Democracy is Intertwined with the Climate Crisis

Like you, I feel uneasy because of what we had to bear witness to at the U.S. Capitol and at our own Capitol complex in Olympia earlier this month. While the lopsided response to a predominantly white, antisemitic, right-wing attack wasn’t surprising for so many of us Native, Black, immigrant, Latinx, queer people, or people … Continued

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Washington Rejects Massive Methanol Refinery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 19 January, 2021 Fracked Gas Refinery and Export Terminal Would Have Significant Climate Impact  Media Contact: Brett VandenHeuvel; Columbia Riverkeeper: (503) 348-2436 The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) denied permits for the massive fracked gas-to-methanol refinery proposed in Kalama, WA. Ecology nixed the fossil fuel processing and export proposal after deciding it would have … Continued

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Donate to Front & Centered’s COVID-19 Frontline Response Fund

Support grassroots organizations led by communities of color

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A Note from WEC CEO Alyssa Macy

Meet our new CEO!

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Suquamish Tribe, Environmental Groups, and State of Washington Reach Settlement of Lawsuit Over U.S. Navy Contamination of Puget Sound

The Suquamish Tribe, Puget Soundkeeper, Washington Environmental Council, and the State of Washington announced a settlement with the U.S. Navy

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TAKE ACTION

What’s up with Washington’s budgets?

Budgets are moral documents that reflect our shared values and priorities. This budgeting year, legislators need to make sure that the environment and our communities are prioritized!

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Our mission is to protect, restore, and sustain
Washington’s environment for all.

History and Victories | View all »

2019
2019
2019
Washington passed 100% Clean Electricity, the strongest clean electricity bill in the nation!

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2019

2019: Washington passes 100% Clean Electricity Legislation The Washington State Legislature passed the strongest clean electricity bill in the nation. The 100% clean electricity legislation will eliminate coal power by 2025 and transition the state to 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2045. The state’s commitment to clean electricity will boost jobs and strengthen energy equity through energy assistance programs for low income households and equity considerations in the planning and acquisition of new sources of electricity. The bill also ensures new clean energy jobs that include strong worker protections and pay family wages.
2019
2019
2019
The Legislature passed a package bills to address Southern Resident orca recovery and survival.

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2019

2019: Orca recovery bills passed The Legislature passed a package of four major bills that address several needs facing Southern Resident orca recovery and survival. The bills protect salmon and forage fish habitat, prevent oil spills in Puget Sound waters, reduce vessel noise and disturbance, and reduce sources of toxic pollution. This package represents recommendations put forward by Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force last November that brought together experts and advocates from across the state to find solutions to save resident orcas and restore Salish Sea.
2019
2019
2019
This legislative session, state leaders secured a landmark law to ensure that Big Oil pays their fair share for toxic cleanups.

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2019

2019: Legislature passes overhaul of toxic clean-up program This legislative session, state leaders secured a landmark law to ensure that Big Oil pays their fair share for toxic cleanups, managing and preventing pollution, and supporting communities. This bill would reform the financial structure of the Model Toxics Control Act, the state’s toxic site clean-up program. Washington now has the tools we need to get to work tackling the more than 6,000 polluted sites we still have left and prevent pollution from flowing into our neighborhoods, homes, and waterways in the first place.
2018
2018
2018
The Puget Sound No Discharge Zone was established by the Department of Ecology, prohibiting ships and boats from discharging sewage.

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2018

2018: Puget Sound designated as a No Discharge Zone The Puget Sound No Discharge Zone was established by the Department of Ecology in April. This rule prohibits ships and boats from discharging raw or partially treated sewage across 2,300 square miles of marine waters as well as waters around Lake Washington and Lake Union. After six years of public process and tens of thousands of supportive comments from you and members of our coalition, the rule went into effect on May 10. Puget Sound will now join more than 90 other Zones around the country, including in the Great Lakes and the entire California coast.
2018
2018
2018
WEC and WCV helped Vancouver, WA resist and defeat Tesoro Savage’s proposal to build the largest oil terminal in the nation in our state.

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2018

2018: Largest Oil Terminal in the Nation Defeated For five years, our state has rallied together to support the community of Vancouver, WA in resisting a proposal by Tesoro Savage to build the nation’s largest oil terminal on the shores of the Columbia River. The massive increase in dangerous oil trains and threats to our environment and economy galvanized communities along the railroad lines to show up for hearing after hearing through the very end. We saw many victories along the way, from elections of two Port commissioners to unanimous rulings by state boards to a strong decision by Governor Inslee. WEC and the Stand Up To Oil coalition are proud to have organized hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians to say no to oil and yes to protecting the health, safety, and sustainability of our state!