Climate Change: We Must Cool The Planet

With Climate Change barreling down on us, and heightened catastrophic events like the California, Washington, Idaho and Oregon wildfires, we need to make some drastic changes to help curve the devastating affects as much as possible. How do we slow this warming trend? By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, which will in turn cool the planet.

Did you know that 35% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from the building sector, and the bulk of that comes from electricity generation for the buildings energy use. Thus, one change that we, as a society, can make to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is moving to all-renewable energy and moving away from fossil fuels. “As of 2021, eight countries have achieved Net Zero or have pledged to do so before 2050” (The Climate Action Handbook).

Washington state initiated what is called a Clean Buildings Performance Standard. From the Washington State Department of Commerce: “Clean buildings are essential to meeting our state energy goals. In 2019 the Clean Buildings bill was signed into law, expanded in 2022, and augmented in 2023. The objective is to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in the state’s existing covered buildings, multifamily buildings, and campus district energy systems. The law also provides Tier 1 and Tier 2 incentives to encourage building owners to make energy efficiency improvements earlier than required”.

In January of 2022, the Biden-Harris administration initiated a National Building Performance Standards Coalition to support jurisdictions that are dedicated to implementing these standards.

Then, in March 2024, House Bill (HB)1589 was passed by the legislature. It is a bill which will help PSE plan for the electric and natural gas choices of customers in compliance with Washington’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2045. It is currently only to plan for the future; not to change what is being offered to PSE customers. In addition, there will be no rate increase associated with this bill, although the Building Industry of Washington (BIAW) would like you to believe it will. And, nothing in the bill forces electrification. We must go back to 2019 to find where the Washington legislature enacted the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) which requires electric utilities to eliminate emissions from their energy resources by 2045. There are three mandatory targets:

• 2025 – All electric utilities must eliminate coal-fired generation serving Washington state customers.
• 2030 – All electric utilities must be greenhouse gas neutral—for example, remaining carbon emissions are offset by renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon reduction project investments, or payments funding low-income assistance.
• 2045 – All electric utilities must generate 100% of their power from renewable or zero-carbon resources.

“The act contains provisions to ensure electric service reliability by allowing the UTC to temporarily relieve a utility of its greenhouse gas reduction obligation if the electric grid’s reliability or safety is compromised. The act also contains safeguards for consumers to prevent electric bills from rapidly increasing as a result of the utilities’ transition to clean energy resources.” (UTC Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission)

However, Washington state has a problem. An initiative sponsored by the Building Industry of Washington State (BIAW), I-2066, would repeal provisions of the new state law meant to transition away from natural gas. The BIAW touts that the grid is insufficient, and the bill will increase costs and adversely affect low- and middle-income residential consumers and small businesses. There are clear provisions in the CETA that ensure the grid will be reliable, and rates will not increase rapidly as a result.

BIAW does not believe that the state should be able to force anyone to give up their gas or gas appliances. I was having a conversation with a friend of mine recently about this and she said, “You can have a choice (about gas) when everyone (especially women) gets a choice (about their bodies)”. Governments have taken away women’s right to choose, but they cannot take away one’s right to use natural gas?

Don’t get me wrong. Brian and I loved our natural gas cooktop just as much as the next person. But we made a commitment to reduce our fossil fuel consumption, to go all-electric, and we did. Our flattop range has turned out to be amazing. We do have a propane BBQ; that helps with the craving for cooking with fire.

If we are going to make a change in favor of the planet, and future generations, we need to move towards renewable energy and away from fossil fuels. Watch for I-2066 on your ballot in November and vote NO to removing the provision of HB1589 and the Clean Energy Transportation Act (CETA).

Global Climate Change
Here’s a great article: Why Global Temperatures Matter

Why two degrees is worse than it sounds?
Here’s another really great article on this.
The 2-degree Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) increase in global average surface temperature since the pre-industrial era has caused a significant increase in heat. This extra heat is driving many changes to the planet, including:

• Extreme weather: A 2 degree rise in global temperatures could increase the risk of deadly extreme weather events, such as wildfires, flooding, and heat waves. For example, a NASA study found that more than a quarter of the world’s population could experience an extra month of severe heat stress each year.
• Ecosystems: The warming could cause entire ecosystems to transform, with about 13% of land areas shifting from one type of biome to another. This could also lead to the collapse of polar ice sheets and the mass death of coral reefs.
• Sea Ice: The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice-free in late summer before mid-century.
• Habitats: The warming could change habitat ranges for plants and animals, expanding some and shrinking others.
• Water resources: Crops could fail and water resources could be depleted.
• Diseases: Diseases could become widespread

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Shoot me an email….or better yet, let’s schedule coffee to discuss.

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Water Rights Continue to Stay on My Radar: Everyone on a well in Whatcom County needs to stay informed about this process and be ready to complete their claim forms when it is time to do so. Here is this month’s update from the Dept of Ecology on Whatcom Counties Water Adjudication which includes the First Superior Court hearing, the new timeline for court claims form, well reports and water availability, and a helpful FAQ section.