Articles & Media
Browse our library of research and analysis here.
LCPI Event: The Future of Climate Policy After I-1631
Wed, November 28, 2018, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST | Mercer Island Community & Event Center
Purpose: Inform community about views of electorate, Resolve post-election tensions & align towards cooperative success, Invite engagement in achieving desired outcomes, Set framework for 2019 legislature
...The prospects for I-1631 eliminating 20 million tons of carbon pollution annually by 2035
This analysis aims to answer the following central question: What cost-performance must I-1631 investments in carbon reduction achieve in order to meet the state’s 2035 emissions target and trigger a freeze in the rate of fee increase?
...Appendix A: Initiative 1631 Funding to Offset Increases In Lower Income Energy Burdens
To project the potential for revenue to be used for relieving the energy burden of people with lower incomes LCPI examined data on median household income by county (American Community Survey (ACS), 2016) and the share by county of income to poverty levels (also from the ACS, 2016). By...
Appendix B: Initiative 1631 Detailed Scenario Results
In this Appendix, we present detailed projections for the two available funds scenarios, each with four investment pathway cases that were the focus of this study.
...Volcanoes, Forests, and Farms: A Carbon Policy That Works for Washington—and Puts All of Washington to Work
We absolutely must sequester carbon on a large scale, and this technology is one of several with the potential to implement Plan B — carbon negativity. Washington is possibly the best region in the world do to so economically. The combination of Washington’s biomass-producing industries and unique geologic formations...
Wasted energy: Increasing efficiency can reverse a major drag on Washington’s prosperity
Low Carbon Prosperity Institute (LCPI) analysis indicates that Washingtonians spent over $24 billion on energy in 2015 - down from nearly $28 billion in 2014 - with nearly 60% ($13 billion) spent on wasted energy. Efficiency gains are an opportunity to generate immediate economic benefit and foster a clean...
Wasted energy: Ten opportunities to reduce a $13 billion annual bill
Clean technology can boost energy efficiency, reduce waste, and save Washington State billions of dollars annually, while developing a competitive advantage in a multi-trillion dollar industry. Here’s a sample of some significant strategies to make this happen.
...California Reaches Climate Change Mitigation Goal Ahead of Schedule
Former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed California’s landmark AB 32 climate legislation in 2006, celebrated beating the target with remarks published in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Surpassing our 2020 emissions goal ahead of schedule while our economy grows by a nation-leading 4.9 percent and our unemployment rate is...
Revenue & Emissions Preliminary Impact Analysis – Senate Bill 6203
Using a proprietary modeling system, the Washington Business Alliance analyzed the expected outcomes of Senator Palumbo’s Carbon Tax Bill, Senate Bill 5930. SB 5930 is projected to generate a peak of roughly $1.8 billion/year in 2024 (in USD, 2018), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a similar amount as...
House Bill 1646: Revenue and Emissions Impact – Preliminary Analysis
The Washington Business Alliance developed the Washington State GHG Reduction Explorer to project the outcomes of various policy proposals that tax/regulate greenhouse gas emissions. We evaluate two scenarios for this analysis: one with what we believe are relatively optimistic assumptions about Clean Energy Account investments and one with what...
Modeling Analysis of SB 5930 (Sen. Palumbo) Carbon Tax Proposal – Additional Details
Using a proprietary modeling system, the Washington Business Alliance analyzed the expected outcomes of Senator Palumbo’s Carbon Tax Bill, Senate Bill 5930. SB 5930 is projected to generate a peak of roughly $1.8 billion/year in 2024 (in USD, 2018), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a similar amount as the...
Modeling Analysis of SB 5930 (Sen. Palumbo) Carbon Tax Proposal
Using a proprietary modeling system, the Washington Business Alliance analyzed the expected outcomes of Senator Palumbo’s Carbon Tax Bill, Senate Bill 5930. SB 5930 is projected to generate a peak of roughly $1.8 billion/year in 2024 (in USD, 2018), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a similar amount as...
Carbon Policy Explorer Enables Better Decision-Making
At the Business Alliance we began to wonder how effective these different policies are likely to be at actually reducing GHG emissions and at what price. So we developed analytical software tools to evaluate the many scenarios being proposed. In evaluating all these proposals, voters and lawmakers alike are facing...
Climate Change Creates Risk & Opportunity for WA Business
“We don’t need an energy miracle” to effectively address climate change. That was the message a speaker from the Risky Business Project shared with Washington State business leaders earlier this month. Their new research identifies cost-competitive, low-carbon energy sources and technologies that already exist and will become cheaper over...
Electric Battery Buses to be King of the Road in King County
120 all-electric battery buses will be transporting folks around King County by 2020. Revolutionary new transportation technologies can get us moving safer, faster, greener, and cheaper with ACES technology: vehicles that are automated, connected, electric and shared.
...Data Viz: Commute Modes
WHAT IT IS
The following data visualization shows for all 50 U.S. states from 2007 through 2011 what percent of daily trips to work occur via different modes of transportation. Such so-called “mode split” data by state is augmented by data for transit usage within major metro regions...
Data Viz: Electricity Affordability
WHAT IT IS
Weighted average of retail electricity rates, in cents per kilowatt hour.
WHY IT MATTERS
Cost of electricity is an especially important factor for manufacturing industries and larger commercial enterprises. It’s part of the larger competitive landscape of the cost of doing business.
WA CURRENT STANDING
Data Viz: Carbon Competitiveness
WHAT IT IS
The ratio of GDP to CO2 emissions. Increasing carbon competitiveness means reducing the carbon intensity of our economy. Metric tons of CO2 equivalent emitted per million dollars of GDP generated. GDP expressed as real state GDP in chained 2005 dollars.
WHY IT MATTERS
Extracting greater...
Washington Business Leaders Discuss the Future of Carbon Policy
What’s next for carbon reduction policy in Washington State? Voters in the 2016 election rejected Initiative 732. The federal Clean Air Rule is being challenged in the courts. The state legislature will convene in January 2017. In this context, leaders from across Washington’s business community met in Seattle on November...
Washington State Opinion Polling Shows Strong Support for Climate Action
There’s new data on the opinions of Washington voters regarding action to address climate change. One week after voters rejected the carbon tax initiative (I-732), Seattle business leaders met in Seattle to discuss the future of carbon policy. The event began with the release of new poll numbers from research...
Creating a Market for Cross-Laminated Timber
Progress in creating a regional and national market for cross laminated timber (CLT), an innovative building material rich in economic and environmental potential, was celebrated at a gathering of industry, design, academic, environmental and political leaders in Seattle on Nov. 1.
...The Business View on I-732
As voters consider I-732 this election, it’s important to have accurate information on this initiative, the first in our nation proposing a carbon tax. Much has been written about I-732, some of it inaccurate.
...Ecology Responds to Clean Air Rule Comments
On July 22nd, 2016 the Washington Business Alliance submitted comments to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding their draft Clean Air Rule. Our comments were created in collaboration with stakeholders guided by the intention of charting a productive course on carbon reduction.Late last week Ecology released its response to...
How Clean is Washington State’s Electric Grid?
Washington State has the second cleanest electricity grid in the entire country. We rank just behind Vermont in the latest state-by-state comparison of who has the least carbon-intensive electricity supply. Even better, Washington has the nation's most affordable commercial electricity.
...Comment Submission: Clean Air Rule
Following a legislative session where the Washington Business Alliance stood front and center in debates over carbon policy, we continue to collaborate with stakeholders in charting a productive course on this challenging issue for business. In recent months the Business Alliance worked with some of the state’s largest industries and...
Composite Recycling Facility Hits New Milestone
Earlier this month a new agreement was announced between the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), the Tennessee-based national composites manufacturing institute, and Peninsula College. The CRTC is a prime model that aligns with PLAN Washington’s strategies to support economic growth in rural communities and innovative environmental solutions. Composite recycling supports...
Proposed “Timber Innovation Act” Boosts R&D for Tall Wood Buildings
There's new legislation in both chambers of the U.S. Congress that would boost R&D for tall wood buildings. If passed, the Timber Innovation Act could be a game changer for Washington State’s mass timber industry. The bipartisan legislation would open up new markets and create jobs for rural economies by...
Washington State’s Mass Timber Opportunity
Four major challenges facing Washington State might be linked by a common solution: an urban planning revolution towards tall wood buildings.
...Washington Industries Highlighted at Congressional Hearing on Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing plays a critical role in the U.S. economy and national defense, supporting more than 12 million jobs and $2 trillion in the economy. But, in the last decade, we have lost more than 6 million manufacturing jobs. By investing in advanced manufacturing, we can harness science and engineering technology...
Washington Solar Policy: Impact and Gaps
A 2014 survey by Solar Washington, published by the CleanTech Alliance, states: “Results from the data show that for every dollar of the Washington State solar incentive redirected to PV system owners, the state sees $2.46 injected back into the local economy. Based on data collected reflecting business activity in...