Seattle/King County Climate News 9.18.22

Seattle

The City Council approved the nomination of Greg Spotts as the new head of SDOT. Mr. Spotts is having a listening tour to "walk, bike, roll and ride transit ... to see what is working well and what needs improvement". Sign up here if you or your group would like to ride transit, bike, or walk with Mr. Spotts and point out problems or concerns in your neighborhood.

The City Council approved the 2022 Green New Deal Oversight's Board Spending Plan. Releases $6.4M for various climate initiatives. In Council, Councilmember Sawant called for much more significant investment.

Initiative I-135 for social housing has secured enough signatures to go on the ballot next spring. City Council will consider the initiative on Sept 20, and has the option to either pass it, or to add it to the ballot.

State

Disability Rights Washington's second annual Week Without Driving is this week. Many of our elected leaders have signed up to experience the transit system first hand.

Elsewhere

California Gov Gavin Newsom signed into law a sweeping set of new climate measures. The state will spend $54B on clean energy and drought resistance, it is now required to stop emitting CO2 to the atmosphere by 2045, which will require dropping emissions by 85%. There are new limits on how close new oil wells can be to homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. California is now committed to banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The closure of the last nuclear power plant has been halted. Spending includes $6B for EVs, $8B on decarbonizing the electrical grid, $15B for public transit, and $5B for climate and drought resistance.