Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s visit to Western Washington University highlighted ongoing projects funded by the Climate Commitment Act, his signature climate measure. The tour focused on the modernization of the university’s Steam Plant and the construction of Kaiser Borsari Hall, which will be Washington state’s first publicly funded zero-energy academic building.
The Steam Plant project aims to reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions by replacing natural gas-fired boilers with heating hubs featuring heat pump technology. This modernization, supported by a $10 million state grant, is part of a broader initiative funded by the Climate Commitment Act, which has provided over $2 billion for climate-related projects through a “cap and invest” model.
However, this measure faces opposition, with a repeal effort, Initiative 2117, on the November ballot. Critics, including hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, argue that the act imposes hidden costs on consumers. Despite this, proponents, including State Rep. Alex Ramel, stress the importance of the act for achieving the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and supporting green energy jobs.