Washington Environmental Council Programs
Climate & Clean Energy
WEC is working to advance policy that will move the dial on state emissions reduction, use energy efficiently, accelerate our transition to clean energy, and set limits on global warming pollution.
People For Puget Sound
At WEC, we are honored that People For Puget Sound found us to be the right group to carry on their policy, advocacy, and grassroots work. We are excited to be digging even further into an issue we’ve been working on for many years. Our mission remains the same: protect and restore Puget Sound to health. Our Goals for Puget Sound:
- Protect and Restore Water Quality
- Protect and Restore Habitat Critical to the Recovery of Puget Sound Species
- Engage Citizens to Protect and Restore the Sound
The Environmental Priorities Coalition
The Environmental Priorities Coalition is a state-wide effort of leading groups pushing for improved protections for the health of people, land, air and water of Washington. Each year, we come together to select up to four issues to advance in the state legislature.
Sustainable Forests
We work to improve management of Washington's state forests, creating a model of sustainable forestry that protects the environment and benefits all the people of the state.
Voter Education Program
The nonpartisan Voter Education Program specializes in voter engagement and capacity building for Washington’s environmental community.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Here in Washington, we’re at a turning point. We have a chance to build on our history of leadership in climate and clean energy policy – steps that have led to our growing green economy. We need to build upon this momentum to make sure we stay on the cutting edge and make the transition to a clean energy future. WEC is a leader in the Power Past Coal coalition, working to prevent coal export through the Northwest. And we’re helping advance forward-looking climate policy in the legislature, most recently working with Governor Jay Inslee to pass a climate action bill.
In 2012, WEC expanded our focus on Puget Sound, when we took on the policy, advocacy, and grassroots work of People For Puget Sound. We are working to prevent the flow of polluted stormwater runoff into the Sound by advancing smart policies, like our state’s new municipal stormwater permit, that will prevent new development from adding to the problem. And we’re pushing for funding needed for clean water infrastructure projects. We recently helped pass the Derelict Vessel bill which reduces the threat of abandoned ships (often with toxics and fuel still aboard) to the Sound. We’re looking at emerging issues for the Sound, like ocean acidification.
WEC also plays defense – making sure the good laws we have on the books are protected. During the 2012 legislative session, more than 75 bills that would have rolled back our environmental protections were proposed. Working with our partners, WEC was able to fend off these bills and prevent our environmental protections from being gutted.