Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Environment & Energy Committee
HJM 4003
Brief Description: Requesting that the United States join in developing a Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty.
Sponsors: Representatives Street, Mena, Reeves, Thai, Macri, Reed, Pollet, Slatter, Kloba, Farivar, Cortes, Ramel, Santos, Doglio, Berry, Duerr, Taylor, Peterson, Wylie, Ryu, Goodman, Ormsby, Simmons, Berg and Ortiz-Self.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Endorses the call for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty.
Hearing Date: 1/25/24
Staff: Zachary Blinkinsop (786-7296) and Jacob Lipson (786-7196).
Background:

Climate Change.


The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is the United Nations body for assessing climate change science, states that humanity must achieve net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century in order to limit the effects of anthropogenic climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming.  The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference called for transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels in energy systems by 2050.  

 

Recent Washington Environmental Laws.


The Washington Legislature has passed a number of bills in recent years related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, including:

  • Senate Bill 5145 (2019) prohibiting the use of hydraulic fracking in gas and oil exploration;
  • House Bill  2311(2020) requiring progress toward zero-emissions by 2050;
  • the Climate Commitment Act (2021) creating a market mechanism to cap emissions; and
  • Senate Bill 5141 (2021) reducing environmental health disparities.
Summary of Bill:

The Legislature formally endorses the call for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty.  It affirms the need for a plan to phase out fossil fuel production in a manner that prioritizes impacted workers and local government services.  


The Legislature urges the United States government to develop a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.