Washington Passes Climate Bills, Grid Upgrades

0:00It's March 23rd. I'm Cory with the story. This is Vancouver News today, driven by AI. Washington lawmakers wrapped up their session by passing key bills to strengthen climate laws and build out the electrical grid just three meetings. Shy of the deadline for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, 45% below 1990 levels. They created a new state transmission authority to expand grid capacity and handle growing demands from data centers and electric vehicles, aiming to avoid future blackouts and support clean energy shifts. Earlier this week, they also closed the loophole in the Clean Energy Transformation Act, forcing independent power suppliers for data centers to meet, the 2045 emissions, free deadline. Other winds included lowering the carbon threshold for fuel suppliers from 25,000 metric tons to 500 metric tons and gradually, reducing free carbon allowances for heavy industries like refineries until 2035. Democrats cheered these moves as essential for fairness and hitting climate targets, while Republicans warned they could scare off businesses in data, centers that boost the economy.

1:09Supporters say the grid upgrades will cut reliance on fossil fuels and keep rates affordable, especially with extreme weather straining the system. A broad push to directly regulate data centers stalled in the Senate, though the partial fix on their power sources offers some protection for other. Ray payers efforts to boost bottle and can recycling with deposits and tackle textile waste through producer programs didn't pass, but sponsors plan to revive. Them next year. These steps keep Washington on track for its bold climate promises, setting the stage for more grid builds and emissions fights ahead.