2025 legislative priorities
For the 2025 legislative session, we are proposing the agency request bills below to the Governor’s Office for consideration. As a covered agency under the HEAL Act (Chapter 70A.02 RCW), we are required to do an Environmental Justice Assessment and conduct outreach to overburdened communities and Tribes on this significant agency action.
2025 Agency Request Legislation Environmental Justice Assessments
Flooding is an increasing risk due to climate change. Climate resilience programs can help strengthen infrastructure and improve flood mitigation to address this threat.
In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed E2SHB 1170, requiring Ecology to update the state’s resilience strategy. The law also requires Ecology, in coordination with other partner agencies, to recommend a durable governance structure for coordinating and implementing the state’s climate resilience strategy by September 30, 2024.
The proposal
This proposed legislation would establish the recommended governance structure by authorizing the creation of an interagency climate resilience coordinating council. The council would be comprised of agency leaders from ten agencies involved in developing the state’s strategy. Ecology would staff the council, including performing tracking, reporting, and outreach and engagement.
The council could establish a staff committee to facilitate more frequent coordination. Additional advisory committees or work groups could also be formed, as needed, to inform the state’s work.
This proposal also emphasizes the importance of ongoing engagement and consultation with a variety of interested parties with a focus on addressing barriers to engagement for tribes and communities with environmental justice concerns.
Why it matters
Adapting to and preparing for climate change poses many challenges to our communities and environment. And it requires ongoing coordination across state government to deliver efficient and effective services.
Our proposed legislation will ensure the state has a durable way to collaborate and align our work strategically across our agencies. It will also foster greater transparency and accountability on our work to increase Washingtonian’s resilience to climate change.
Proposed funding for this legislation will help build long-term relationships and sustain dialogue with affected communities and groups on their interests and needs. It will also reduce barriers to engagement such as through direct compensation and partnerships with community-based organizations.
This measure will help agencies continue to coordinate our work to aid Washingtonians in preparing for and adapting to climate change.
Contact
Jennifer Hennessey
Special Assistant to the Director
jennifer.hennessey@ecy.wa.gov
360-972-5887
Washington’s clean energy transition is facing a setback if a provision in the solar panel stewardship and takeback program goes into effect on July 1, 2025. This law requires Washington’s solar panel industry to share the responsibility of managing what remains of solar panel units after their intended uses are complete. Rather than participating in a takeback program, some manufacturers have chosen to not sell solar panels in Washington. If the law is unchanged, it would disrupt the supply and cost of panels available for deployment in Washington.
Ecology’s proposal
Ecology is requesting a change to several dates in the law, resulting in a later program start date. This will enable the industry to legally continue operating in the state while solutions are being developed. A later start date will also allow for the creation of a facilitated advisory committee to identify issues with the law and develop recommendations for adjustment. Work of the advisory committee will culminate with a report to the Legislature due in December 2026.
Why this matters
Washington state has been a leader in the national transition to policies that move America towards 100% clean electricity, capping carbon pollution, and electrifying transportation. Modifying the law will make the takeback program stronger and remove barriers to achieving the clean energy goals established in the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act (Chapter 19.405 RCW).
If current law stands, it could impair the solar industry in Washington state. A later start date will give Ecology, stakeholders, and all other interested parties adequate time to resolve any identified issues.
Contact:
Julie Robertson
Solid Waste Management Program
julie.robertson@ecy.wa.gov
360-763-2728
Smoke from wood stoves causes poor air quality that can hurt your health.
Smoke from wood stoves is a major source of air pollution in Washington and a major threat to public health. New, clean-burning wood stoves can minimize that smoke, but Washington's laws that regulate wood stoves are outdated. EPA’s certification program is insufficient, as EPA's own review found.
Establishing a state program to review testing of stoves can fill this gap, ensuring reliable data on wood stove performance.
The proposal
We are proposing legislation that would allow us to review and verify the results of required EPA tests for wood stoves. This will allow us to make sure wood stoves fully meet national standards, so consumers and residents can have confidence in the performance of the wood-burning devices installed in their homes. The proposed legislation would also direct us to keep Washington’s standards aligned with the latest national standards.
Why it matters
Wood stoves are the primary human‑caused source of fine particle pollution in Washington during the winter. Exposure to smoke from residential wood heating can result in long‑term health effects — including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, cancer, and premature death. Children, people 65 and older, and people with pre-existing health issues are at greatest risk from particle pollution. In addition, wood heating is more prevalent in rural communities and low‑income households, meaning that residents in these areas face a higher exposure to wood smoke.
Our proposed legislation would allow manufacturers to use existing tests and methods they already report to EPA for federal certification. Ecology would work with industry and testing facilities to develop a program to review these test reports, to make sure they meet federal requirements.
The proposed legislation would prohibit the installation or sale of new or used wood‑burning devices unless they are certified by Washington as meeting emission standards. It would clarify residential wood‑heating laws by removing outdated terms and references.
Everyone in Washington deserves clean air. Making sure that new wood‑heating devices meet existing federal standards is one of the most effective means we have to protect the air we all breathe.
Contact
Joanna Ekrem
Air Quality Program Senior Program Planner
joanna.ekrem@ecy.wa.gov
360-704-0514
Contact information
Ken Camp
Acting Director of Governmental Relations
ken.camp@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-0079
Jalyn Prout
Legislative & Policy Specialist
jalyn.prout@ecy.wa.gov
360-742-1569