Issue Position: Creating Jobs and Protecting our Environment

Issue Position

Protecting and enhancing our natural environment is a health issue, a family issue, an economic issue, and a moral issue.

Ed Murray is committed to holding polluters responsible for the hazardous substances they introduce and to promoting family wage, green-collar jobs. The old paradigm of growth vs. the environment no longer applies. We can create jobs, cut costs, and protect our future through neck-extending leadership. In short, we need to step up as Northwesterners have always stepped up.

For years, Ed Murray has made the tough decisions and delivered on environmental protection, job creation, and fiscal responsibility. He's worked hard to ensure that our state is kept green for our children and our grandchildren.

Take a look:

Clean Air:

Prime Sponsor, HB 1397 -- 2005 Session -- Changing vehicle emission standards provisions

With HB 1397, the state adopted the California motor vehicle emission standards. The act declared that no vehicle be registered, leased, rented, or sold for use in the state unless the vehicle's emissions are consistent with the new vehicle emission standards.

"From a clean-air standpoint, the clean-car standards will ensure that we can reduce air toxics and continue to meet the federal air quality standards as our region grows," Dennis McLerran -- Executive Director, Clean Air Agency

"One of our biggest legislative achievements in decades," Washington Conservation Voters legislative scorecard 2005-2006
Clean Water:

Prime Sponsor, SB 6851 -- 2010 Session -- Concerning the Clean Water Act of 2010

Sponsored and fought for a bill that would have raised the tax on hazardous materials entering our state from .7% to 2%, creating the funds needed to proceed with clean water infrastructure projects. Though this bill did not pass, I led efforts this session for a single time $50 million appropriation for storm-water cleanup.

"A balanced solution in tough times for Washington's families, local communities, and environment." People for Puget Sound.

Clean Energy:

Prime Sponsor, SB 5586 -- 2007 Session -- Encouraging the use of cleaner energy

Companion bill to HB 1303 which was signed into law. Provided the down payment for a clean energy economy in the future by encouraging the state to develop policies and incentives that help businesses, consumers, and farmers gain greater access to affordable clean fuels and vehicles and to produce clean fuels in the state.

Safe Products:

Cosponsor, SSB 6248 -- 2010 Session -- Concerning the use of bisphenol A

Cosponsored and supported within the caucus the Safe Baby Bottle Act. The bill made Washington the second state to ban bisphenol A -- a harmful chemical -- in sports bottles and the fifth to take action on the chemical in children's dishware.

"Getting BPA out of children's dishware and sports bottles is commonsense given the mountain of evidence showing BPA is harmful to our health," Ivy Sager-Rosenthal -- Campaign Director, Washington Toxics Coalition

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