Environmental justice assessment notices

Through the Washington Electric Vehicle Program (WAEVCP), the state makes critical investments in community-based electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Providing $105 million in the 25-27 biennial Capital budget will ensure the state can narrow gaps in charging access and keep pace with growing electric vehicle adoption. Charging investments are an essential component of the state’s strategy to limit greenhouse gas emissions as required in RCW 70A.45.020 and reach motor vehicle emission standards set in RCW 70A.30.010. This ARL also proposes maintaining current funding levels in the Operating budget for passenger vehicles and chargers to investment in strategies that more directly address EV infrastructure barriers.

Advisory groups, community meetings (as guest), listening sessions (as host), stakeholder interviews

Ecology is conducting this rulemaking to provide clarity on the water pollution limits that protect human health and are used in clean water programs in Washington state. This action would transfer the existing federal limits into state rules and would not change any of the existing human health criteria for Washington. The human health criteria protect people, particularly those who eat fish and shellfish and drink untreated water, from experiencing long-term health effects from pollution in rivers, lakes and marine water in Washington.

This is a unique rulemaking as it does not change the pollution limits that are already in place for Washington. In 2016 and 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set some of the human health criteria for Washington, so those limits are in federal rule, instead of state rule like the rest of Washington’s pollution limits. Ecology aims to provide clarity on the regulations by adopting the federal human health criteria. Ecology received feedback from the public and Tribes during prior rulemakings that making this change should be a priority for the state.

This rulemaking is a shorter process than most. Because this rulemaking will adopt federal regulations without changing them, this rulemaking is exempt from the usual requirements to complete a pre-proposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) and will instead move starting to the rule proposal (CR-102).

For this rulemaking action, Ecology will open a public comment period and hold a public hearing to receive public input on the rule proposal, offer Tribal consultation, meet with Tribal water quality staff and offer to connect with other fishers and vulnerable populations. We will accept comments from 12 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2024. Submit comments online or at the public hearing on Oct. 22, 2024, 5:30 p.m. Details on how to access both the public comment submission form and the public hearing are on the webpage below. To discuss this rulemaking outside of the above noted opportunities, contact Faith Wimberley, Environmental Justice Planner at faith.wimberley@ecy.wa.gov or (425)275-7285.

Ecology is submitting agency request legislation to request a delay in the effective dates in Washington’s Solar Panel Takeback Program law. The state’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. The agency request legislation will enable the industry to legally continue operating in the state while solutions are being developed and allows for the creation of a facilitated advisory committee to identify issues with the law and develop recommendations for adjustment.

Ecology will be conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment during the month of September. We will share information and opportunities for public comment on our website and through email. We intend to provide an online public meeting, individual and small group meetings. Additionally, Ecology will accept written and online public comments.

Proposing a new section in Chapter 43.330 RCW that allows Commerce to provide advance payment with small organizations and tribes. Payments would be no more than 25% of contract, or three months of projected contractual expenses, whichever is smaller. Commerce shall have risk mitigation strategy to ensure clarity and efficiency of fund disbursement. This ARL benefits communities by decreasing barriers to access funding which may improve health and wellbeing.

This ARL came from communities’ and tribes’ input over the course of several years. Reimbursement-based funding has continued to be a barrier for smaller entities to contract with Commerce. Once the EJA is posted, public comment can be sent via email to Kyle.Glitchell@commerce.wa.gov. Other methods are TBD.

The development and adoption of any new grant or loan program that a covered agency is explicitly authorized or required by statute to carry out.

Advisory Groups Community Meetings (as guest), Focus Groups, GovDelivery Emails, Stakeholder Interviews and Steering Committee.

The Department is considering modifying the rules for chemigation and fertigation monitoring to incorporate present technological capabilities and potential future automation capabilities for application of pesticides and fertilizers through irrigation systems.

Govdelivery notification and website posting.

This project will grind and pave Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) on both directions of the SR 525 Spur to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, to extend the pavement service life and preserve the roadway. In addition, this project will evaluate and replace/modify all pedestrian curb ramps within the project limits that do not meet ADA standards.

TBD

Proposed bill addresses inequitable reporting requirements, provides equitable funding floors and ceilings, and addresses ADO match requirements that provide greater discretion to the agency to define.

Open meeting, written comment, and solicitation through ADO association.

The RCW 43.330.540 Section 1(ii) states “Cannabis licensees holding a license issued after April 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024, who meet the social equity applicant criteria under RCW 69.50.335” we are expanding this to match the Bill 5080 to extend the timeline to 2032. In addition, we are expanding grantee recipients to include Research Stipends and Renewal Energy construction.

The program is based on the Social Equity Task Force. This Task Force will make recommendations to promote business ownership among individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, in order to remedy the harms resulting from the enforcement of cannabis-related laws. The Task Force will work to center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities that have been most impacted by enforcement of cannabis-related laws.

The Clean Energy Development Office would promote and support statewide clean energy planning (i.e., identify preferred areas for clean energy development and transmission corridors); develop incentives and other mechanisms to guide clean energy development to appropriate areas (tax policy, community benefits, zoning, workforce development, etc.); support transmission planning and interconnection to the grid; and manage a dashboard to track clean energy development and progress toward meeting clean energy goals. It would also lead Build- Ready development (modeled on a NY Program) that pre-permits sites and then auctions them to developers to reduce time and risk for clean energy projects.

The CEDO concept is an outgrowth of previous engagement work conducted for the Low Carbon Siting Study (2022) and an independent assessment required by HB 1216 (Beveridge & Diamond, 2024). The concept is also reflected in letters sent by a coalition of environmental organizations including TNC, Audubon and others. In addition, the concept is reflected in recommendations from the Clean Energy Siting Council, established under HB 1216, which includes representatives from the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Environmental Justice Council. Additional feedback will be sought from tribes and members of overburdened communities and vulnerable populations as this concept is developed. Commerce has been reaching out directly to stakeholders and fielding public comments.

Proposing a change to RCW 42.56 which would exclude critical infrastructure information (as defined by Federal law) from public disclosure. This would encourage utilities to report physical and cybersecurity threats and damage with the Energy Resilience & Emergency Management Office for coordination on response and restoration activities.

Stakeholder interviews Email comments submitted to eli.king@commerce.wa.gov