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Posts for Environmental Laws and Regulations

Got Clean Energy Projects? Free Program Helps Local Agencies Recoup Some Program Costs

March 2, 2026  by  Jill Dvorkin ,  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Supported with funding from the state Climate Commitment Act, the Washington CETCAP program has helped more than 200 organizations, including King County and the Snohomish PUD install clean energy projects, unlocking hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal incentives.

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Dangerous Waste Management Program Guidance and Compliance Tips

February 12, 2026  by  Julie Nicoll ,  Stacy Fox
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Hazardous Materials and Substances

Dangerous waste compliance programs are often overlooked by government agencies. Learn about the basics of a dangerous waste management program, including waste designation, preparing for an inspection, and compliance tips.

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Got Waste? What to Know About the New System for Annual Dangerous Waste Reports Due March 1

January 28, 2026  by  Stacy Fox ,  Julie Nicoll
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Hazardous Materials and Substances

Beginning March 1, annual dangerous waste reports must be submitted on a new online platform. Learn how these changes will impact dangerous waste reporting and recordkeeping for your public agency.

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2025 Legislation that Advances Sustainability in Washington Communities

July 7, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Administration ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parking ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Housing ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This year's state legislative session passed bills addressing sustainability and climate action, updating the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, enacting extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the development of shared streets.

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Adopting SEPA Exemptions May Help Implement Your Comprehensive Plan

June 18, 2025  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Local governments looking to promote development that implements their comprehensive plans should consider adopting categorical or optional exemptions from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for certain types of projects. 

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Surface Mine Reclamation Program: Interaction with Local Governments

February 12, 2025  by  Rian Skov
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Rural Uses

Surface mines are regulated by a variety of agencies, including the local government in which a mine is located. But what happens when a mine has reached the end of its productiveness? Can the land be returned to its pre-mining state, and which agency oversees this process?

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A bee on a yellow daisy

Save the Bees: How Local Governments Can Protect Pollinator Habitat

August 27, 2024  by  Katie Buckley
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Pollinators are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem, impacting food security, the abundance of local flora, and agricultural earnings. Local governments can play a role in protecting critical habitat for pollinators with innovative strategies and smart land use policies. 

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Utility trucked parked on sidewalk with a road sign noting that utility work is being done

A Compendium of 2023 Utilities Legislation

November 13, 2023  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

It was a mixed bag for utility legislation in 2023. There are some new obligations for utilities, but certain non-project and project actions are now categorically exempt from SEPA review.

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Wildfire under an electrical transmission line in a forested area

State-Based Efforts, Legislation Boost Local Risk Reduction, Resiliency to Wildfires

August 8, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Emergency Management ,  Fire Protection ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

With wildfire season underway, local governments should be aware of bills passed during the 2023 Regular Legislative Session addressing wildfire events and proposed permanent rules to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke.

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A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

New Report Outlines How to Save Lives from Extreme Heat

August 7, 2023  by  Zach Kearl
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Written by a guest author with the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group, local governments now have a new resource to call on for ideas on how to protect communities during extended periods of extreme heat. 

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Several small images suggesting environmental and pollution prevention laws against the word 2023

New Legislation Related to Climate and the Natural Environment

July 27, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In 2023, state legislators passed several bills addressing environmental concerns, including new climate elements for comprehensive planning, making impact fee revenue available for new bike and pedestrian facilities, and an optional permit process for clean energy projects. 

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New Legislation, Guidance Targets a Green Energy Future in Washington

August 22, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In a push to carbon neutrality, Washington State agencies and the legislature have put in place laws and mandates designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, invest in transportation alternatives, reduce waste, and expedite the approval of green energy projects.  

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2022 Growth Management Act-Related Bills

June 30, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Housing ,  Rural Uses ,  New Legislation and Regulations

New legislation related to the Growth Management Act (GMA) will expand tribal participation, limit appeals for actions to increase housing supply, change periodic update timelines, provide additional options for limited areas of more intense rural development (LAMIRDs), and more.

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New Program Supports Transition To Cleaner Vehicle Fleets

November 15, 2021  by  Melinda Spencer
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Local governments wanting to switch to cleaner, zero-emissions car fleets now have a new resource to consult, the Green Transportation Program. 

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Meeting the Challenge of Washington’s New Clean Buildings Standard

March 4, 2021  by  Bonnie Frye Hemphill
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Design ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

This blog post will provide an overview of the New Clean Building Standard and how it applies to your publicly owned buildings. 

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Washington Enacts Statewide Plastic Bag Ban

August 27, 2020  by  Aly Jones
Category:  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of ESSB 5323, which bans Washington-based retail establishments from providing single-use, plastic carryout bags.

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Banning Plastic Straws and Utensils

August 16, 2018  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Is the era of plastic over in Seattle? Managing Attorney Flannary Collins looks at the city's, and other jurisdictions, attempts to ban various products made of plastic, from straws to bags to food-service ware.  

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Alternative Fuel Requirement Deadline Fast Approaching

May 3, 2018  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Effective June 1, 2018, all local government subdivisions are required to satisfy 100% of their fuel usage for operating publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel. This blog post looks at the legislation, requirements, and options.

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Landslide Hazards: Regulating Them Can Be Hazardous

February 20, 2018  by  Greg Wessel
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Emergency Management

Landslides are common throughout the Pacific Northwest. Regulatory agencies and local governments must do their best to understand and document the potential hazard. Guest author Greg Wessel looks at the issue and the role of local government in hazard awareness and mitigation. 

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Critical Areas: The Importance (and Difficulty) of Knowing Where They Are

July 18, 2017  by  Greg Wessel
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Regulated critical areas vary from place to place but in some cases, a jurisdiction’s knowledge of its critical areas may be based on outdated or incomplete information. Guest author Greg Wessel looks at some steps jurisdictions can take to address this problem. 

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