Environment

WPC's Center for the Environment brings balance to the environmental debate by promoting the idea that human progress and prosperity work in a free economy to protect the environment.

Research Centers / Environment / Research Centers / Environment / What's New

What's New

HB 1310: To Ban Plastic Grocery Bags

February 25, 2013 in Publications
By

Todd Myers, Director, Center for the Environment

, February, 2013

With the decision by a few Washington state cities to ban single-use plastic grocery bags, the state legislature is considering several bills to ban plastic bags or to impose a charge on consumers for their use. The primary justification for such a ban is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags. Some critics argue plastic bags increase the amount of plastic trash in the ocean and have a negative impact on marine wildlife.

The Taylor Swifting of Seattle Climate Policy

February 22, 2013 in Blog

The City of Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment has released what has to be the most embarassing government video ever produced. Considering the Department of Ecology and Puget Sound Partnership's dog poop rap video is also out there, this is saying something.

The video, titled "We're So Green," has a message about as complex as a Taylor Swift song. With lines like "We are Seattle and we're leading the change," to call the video self-absorbed doesn't seem to go far enough.

Governor Inslee's Climate Legislation: Some Promising Signs

February 15, 2013 in Blog

Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee released one element of his climate strategy, creating a "climate and legislative work group." The legislation calls for an analysis of a range of strategies to reduce carbon emissions. That analysis would be used by legislators to develop a final strategy.

Flame Retardant Ban Advocates Admit New Ban Repeats Errors of Last Ban

February 8, 2013 in Blog

Last week the House Environment Committee in Olympia considered HB 1294 which would ban a certain type of flame-retardant compound and create a process for identifying alternatives. Supporters of the legislation argue this will get us off the "toxic treadmill" of moving from one risky compound to the next.

Three Questions for Advocates of the Latest Ban on Flame-Retardants

February 5, 2013 in Blog

Tomorrow, the House Environment Committee will consider HB 1294, the latest ban on flame-retardant compounds. The bill would ban a compound called Tris and would give the Department of Ecology the authority to ban future flame-retardants "unless a manufacturer demonstrates that there is not a technically feasible safer alternative to the flame retardant."

2013 Legislative Briefing

Dann Mead Smith, Paul Guppy and the full research team from Washington Policy Center presented their findings and key issues this Legislative Session on government reform, small business issues, environmental policy, health care and education reform to over 100 legislators, key staff and WPC supporters at our 2013 Legislative Briefing, held at the Capitol in Olympia on Monday, February 4.

State Finds Choosing "Precaution" Over Science on Vaccines Creates Significant Health Risks

February 1, 2013 in Blog

The Department of Health explains that Washington state law limits the amount of thimerosal "as a precaution." In other words, the state is ignoring the science in favor of an amorphous standard of "precaution." What is the result of that precaution? Selecky’s agency goes on to explain:

Bills would ban chemicals in baby products, sofas

January 31, 2013 in In the News
San Francisco Chronicle (AP)
Source: 
San Francisco Chronicle (AP)
Date: 
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Link: 
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bills-would-ban-chemicals-in-baby-products-sofas-4239464.php