This is a MASSIVE 159 page bill that Reps. Matt Shea and Shelly Short have gone thru page by page, and they are very alarmed. Link to the bill at:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1718.pdf

PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY....PEOPLE NEEDED TO TESTIFY THIS FRIDAY!

FREIDAY at 8:00 in HEARING ROOM C of the JOHN L O'BRIEN BUILDING we will be having a public hearing on HB 1718. This bill implements the Climate Action Team's recommendations . Also known as Cap and Trade, this legislation will affect every human activity that depends upon the consumption of some form of carbon generating (CO2) energy. This includes, but is definitely not limited to:

1. New Taxes
2. Tolling the I-90 bridge with the fund going to reducing greenhouse emissions, not transportation infrastructure.
3. Mandates reduction in vehicle miles driven for both commercial and private vehicles (pay as you drive/don't drive).
4. Creates what appears to be stringent rent control regarding new buildings.
5. Fully incorporates "green building codes" at an enormous upfront cost to builders and new home buyers.
6. Implementation of "complete street principles" increasing the cost of transportation projects.
7. Severely limits use and disposal of real property.



The seriousness of this legislation cannot be overstated! Needless to say, this dramatically increases the scope of the Dept. of Ecology. We need people to testify against this in person.

Include phone call hotline number (800) 562-6000 for people to call and express their viewpoints. Cast the net as wide as possible on this one!

The website to find their legislator's contact information is at:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx



Representative Matt Shea

Additional summary below from Matt's Legislative Assistant Jim Robinson

· This creates three task forces to look at allowance distribution, the creation of the markets, and forestry offsets.

· It makes reporting requirements for companies that send fuel into our state that when combusted will emit 10,000 MTC02e along with out of state electricity companies that generate over 10,000 MTCO2e in production of the electricity.

· Department of Ecology is still given carte blanche with their rule making authority. They can still reduce the threshold from 25,000 MTCO2e for companies that will have to own allowances and offsets.

· Penalties for not having allowances are still 3 for every missing 1 allowance or a charge of up to $5,000 per allowance. Other violations, including failure to report emissions can be charged up to $10,000.

· The Governor can put the requirements on hold for a year if there is an economic emergency.

· It only requires Washington to abide by the federal auction percentages if the federal government creates a program. Otherwise, Washington's rules apply until the Department of Ecology changes them.

Jim Robinson,

Legislative Assistant

Rep Matt Shea

4th legislative District

(360) 786-7984