Spokane City Council to consider resolution support state clean fuel standard

The Spokane City Council will consider a resolution that would implore the state to adopt a measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The resolution would advocate for a clean fuel standard that would aim to reduce transportation’s negative environmental impact by requiring refineries and fuel importers to reduce the “carbon intensity” of their products by at least 20% by 2035.

The resolution is on the council’s agenda for Monday. It is nonbinding and would not apply any new standards to Spokane, only press the state Legislature to adopt them.

The city does have environmental goals of its own, including a full switch to renewable energy sources by 2030.

The city’s Sustainability Action Subcommittee voted overwhelmingly in favor of recommending the resolution to the City Council.

The idea of the Clean Fuel Standard is to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning from traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel to biofuels and electricity.

According to the proposed resolution, the transportation sector is responsible for 40% of Spokane’s greenhouse gas emissions.

State legislators failed to pass a low-carbon emissions bill this year, but they are expected to try again. The bill has been championed by Gov. Jay Inslee, who was in Spokane on Friday to join student protests for climate action.

Opponents to the legislation have expressed concerns that it would put Washington businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Oregon, California and British Columbia have already adopted clean fuel standard programs.