Letters to the Editor Vote ‘no’ on Initiative 2117 to protect climate funds for local schools
A year ago, Gov. Jay Inslee visited the Hockinson School district to celebrate its energy efficiency project, which was enabled by a $470,000 grant from the Climate Commitment Act. This project will reduce heating bills for the school district, reduce air pollution in Hockinson, and help keep Clark PUD from going deeper into a capacity deficit.
What about the schools in Camas and Washougal?
In 2024, the legislature increased funding for energy efficiency projects in schools to $500 million.
Those funds, however, are at risk of being repealed by Initiative 2117.The Climate Commitment Act is also funding street projects that make it safer for kids to walk or bike to school, as well as funding electric school buses so that kids don’t need to stand in a cloud of diesel exhaust while waiting to go home from school.
I urge people to vote “no” on Initiative 2117, because we can’t afford to lose the benefits of the Climate Commitment Act.
Don Steinke,
Vancouver
