Natural Resources
Governor Gregoire demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting the state’s natural environment in the 2007–09 budget. Building on work begun in 2006 to grow a strong biofuels industry, the budget took a series of steps to protect and improve Puget Sound and to address climate change. One of the key results of the 2007 legislative session was the creation of a new state agency solely dedicated to the cleanup of the Puget Sound. The new Puget Sound Partnership works collaboratively with all levels of government, Tribes, businesses and citizen groups in its charge to lead and coordinate efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound by 2020.
Governor Gregoire also moved Washington ahead in an effort to set goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, create clean energy jobs and establish an emissions performance standard for new power plants. These measures were enacted as a result of the Governor signing an executive order in February 2007 establishing goals for reductions in climate pollution, increases in jobs and reductions in expenditures on imported fuel.
The 2008 supplemental budget takes additional steps to preserve our quality of life. Water and salmon are key components of our economy and lifestyles. Increasing the availability of water for people, farms, and fish protects jobs and supports economic growth, and protecting habitat preserves salmon for future generations.
In order to address these issues, we must reduce or eliminate sources of pollution. We must also manage the threat of climate change, which can undermine the state economy through flooding, drought, fires or reduced snowpack essential for summer water flows.