February 22, 2006

By AMY ROE
Contributing Writer

For the fourth year in a row environmentalists from around the state have got together to set Priorities for a Healthy Washington. The coalition approach paid off last year with green car and sustainable-building bills. This year’s priorities are to promote renewable fuels, clean up Puget Sound, launch electronics-waste recycling, eliminate toxic flame retardants and defend land-use protections.

“ It is a short session. It’s only 60 days, so you have to be pretty focused,” says Naki Stevens, director of programs for People for Puget Sound.

Some of the priorities represent unfinished business. It’s deja vu in the effort to ban PBDEs, a group of chemicals added to everything from computers to carpeting and automotive upholstery. The chemicals have been shown to slow development and thyroid processes in laboratory rats, suggesting they may pose particular dangers for children. In a study by Northwest Environment Watch, PBDEs showed up in the breast milk of Northwest mothers. The chemical has also been found in dirt, plants, and throughout the food chain.

California, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Michigan, and the European Union have passed legislation phasing out use of most PBDES. Washington Lawmakers delayed action on the issue last year as the Department of Ecology studied it. This year, with a new, more narrowly tailored bill, environmentalists believe they have a good shot at victory. Legislators will also revisit a bill that would protect the state’s waters by requiring failing septic systems to be fixed. The bill was just two votes short of passing last year, Stevens says.

Other water quality priorities include backing Governor Gregoire’s $42.5 million Puget Sound clean-up initiative and restoring full funding to the Centennial Water Fund, the state’s main water quality account. The account is funded by proceeds from Washington’s cigarette tax, but when the tax generates less than $90 million, the money is supposed to come from the general fund. Instead, Stevens says, it has come from money earmarked for hazardous waste cleanup. “They’re basically robbing Peter to pay Paul,” he says.

Environmentalist are also hoping to prevent future waste by supporting bills in both the house and senate that would set up a comprehensive, statewide electronics recycling program. Mo McBroom of the Washington Environmental Council says the new priority is off to a strong start with broad, bipartisan support for the bill as well as backing from manufacturers and the powerful Washington State Retail Association.

“ We’ve reached beyond the environmental community for all these priorities,” Stevens adds, “and every year we’re more successful.” 

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To take action on the Priorities for a Healthy Washington, check out the Washington Environmental Council online: www.wecprotects.org.