We knew this Washington legislative season would be an uphill climb: a state budget crunch, a short timeline, and rapid-fire changes at the federal level. But smart policy can happen even when the chips are down—by building diverse coalitions and trusted partnerships. Together, we achieved victories on both of our priority bills, which will support tenants’ rights to cooling and make community-scale home efficiency and weatherization easier to do. Read on and celebrate with us!
👍Tenants’ Right to Cooling (SB6200)
Signed into law on 3/24!
More Washingtonians have died due to extreme heat than any other weather event. Logically, we should all have the right to cool our homes when deadly heat strikes—but that has been impossible for many tenants because of lease restrictions. You shouldn’t have to own a home to stay safe in extreme heat. Now, thanks to SB6200, tenants have the right to install and use portable cooling devices!
Spark Northwest played a key leadership role in the diverse and dedicated coalition that made this legislation possible. Our victory is proof that when housing advocates, health professionals, community organizations, and environmental groups come together, we can pass bills that save lives and build climate resilience.
👍Community-scale Weatherization (HB2338)
Signed into law on 3/18!
Washington’s low-income weatherization program funds heat pump installs, window replacements, mold removal, and much more. The need for these repairs and upgrades is massive, and at the current rate of completion we’re nearly a century away from serving every eligible household.
HB2338 allows agencies that lead weatherization projects to designate an entire community of high-priority households to receive services under the umbrella of a single project. Spark Northwest has long been a champion of community-scale projects because they simplify management, lower costs, and build a sense of collective empowerment in the clean energy transition.
As community-scale projects are implemented we expect to see faster, cheaper projects that move Washington closer to meeting the overwhelming need for low-income weatherization in our state.
