S-0729.1
SENATE BILL 5439
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senators Frame, Lovelett, Hasegawa, Nobles, Ramos, Saldaña, and Stanford
Read first time 01/22/25. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
AN ACT Relating to the divestment of funds under management by the state investment board from thermal coal; adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.33A RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that because burning coal releases several carcinogenic toxins and pollutants, it is the dirtiest way to produce electricity. It also finds that investments in coal-fired resources contribute to climate change, damage the environment, air, water, and soil, and disproportionately harm the health of vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.
The legislature further finds that Washington has committed to decarbonizing its energy sector by requiring that each electric utility eliminate coal-fired resources from its allocation of electricity by December 31, 2025. To support the elimination of coal-fired electricity generation and protect ratepayers, the legislature has required the utilities and transportation commission to accelerate depreciation schedules for coal-fired resources owned by investor-owned utilities by no later than the end of 2025.