Activists sue Washington state for tougher climate policy

SEATTLE – Environmental activists are suing Washington state, the latest state-level effort to boost use of renewable energy.

Thirteen children backed by the non-profit Our Children’s Trust filed a lawsuit Friday in Superior Court to force the state to end its reliance on fossil fuels. The only way to do so would be for the state to move toward producing all of its energy through renewable means by 2050, Andrea Rodgers, one of the lawyers that filed the case, said in an interview.

Tara Lee, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jay Inslee, said while the office doesn’t usually comment on pending litigation, Inslee “has made climate change and clean energy a high priority throughout his life and his career in public service.” She pointed to legislation requested by the governor such as the carbon tax that’s being discussed by lawmakers.