Rep. Alex Ramel | When D.C. pulls back, WA steps up

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL |||

Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, my colleagues and I are staying focused on what matters most to our community: affordability, a fair tax system, and holding the line against federal rollbacks. Your continued engagement is essential to ensuring we effectively represent our community in this effort. Please consider filling out my 2026 Legislative Priorities Survey to help guide this effort!

Right now, Washington is facing a major shift in federal policy that threatens years, if not decades, of progress. Decisions coming out of Washington, D.C. are making it harder for families to afford energy, harder for workers to keep good jobs, and harder for our state to meet its clean air and climate goals. I want to be clear about what’s happening and how we’re stepping up here at home.

How Federal Rollbacks Are Hurting Families

Recent federal actions have cut or eliminated funding and tax credits that helped everyday people lower their energy bills and invest in clean energy.  Last summer, the federal administration shortened the life of clean energy tax credits that were supposed to last through 2032. As a result, incentives for solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and home insulation are expiring much sooner than planned. That means: Higher utility bills: Washington households are expected to pay about $115 more per year on electricity by the end of the decade. Lost jobs: Our state could lose more than 21,000 clean energy and manufacturing jobs by 2030. Pulled-back investments: Over $1.1 billion in federal clean energy grants promised to Washington have been taken back – including funding meant to help low-income households access solar power. When clean energy becomes more expensive, families pay the price and so does our economy.

Setbacks To Clean Air & Climate Goals

Transportation is our state’s largest source of climate pollution. When the federal government rolled back stronger vehicle emissions standards, it made it much harder for Washington to meet the climate limits we’ve already set in law.

At the same time, federal officials have forced aging coal plants to stay open, even when utilities and states had agreed to retire them. This goes against Washington’s clean energy transition and makes it harder to protect public health.

Washington is responding by standing on our own laws: the Climate Commitment Act, the Clean Energy Transformation Act, the HEAL Act, and strong clean air and water protections. But losing federal funding and data makes this work harder and more expensive. Still, we will not back down. Clean air, safe drinking water, affordable energy, and healthy communities are not optional. They are fundamental.

Legislative Priorities For 2026

When outside forces make life harder, Washington chooses to lean into practical, community-driven solutions. The following are pieces of legislation I am excited to support this upcoming session:

Supporting community land trusts (HB 2227): Housing should be a path to stability, not speculation. This bill provides a tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable homes owned through community land trusts. Community land trusts allow families to own their homes while a nonprofit holds the land underneath. When the homeowner moves, the home is sold at an affordable price to the next family. This keeps housing affordable for generations, not just one buyer. Letting communities lead (HB 1867): We’re also supporting tools that let cities and counties fund affordable housing in ways that fit their needs. A voter-approved local housing option gives communities control and ensures transparency and accountability while helping workers, seniors, and young families stay rooted where they live. Strengthening our electric grid (HB 1673): Clean energy only works if we can move it where it’s needed. HB 1673 creates the Washington Electric Transmission Authority to modernize our power grid. Upgrading existing transmission lines is often faster, cheaper, and less disruptive than building new ones and it helps keep rates affordable while meeting our clean energy goals.

Leading by example with state buildings (HB 2330): Back in October, I sent a newsletter reviewing the great work being done to decarbonize the Waterfront District in Bellingham and the Western Washington University Campus. I’m excited to share that the work doesn’t stop there. This year, I’ll be advocating for clean energy upgrades at 45 state campuses, including colleges, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

WWU’s Steam Plant received $10 million this biennium to modernize heating equipment. October 3, 2025.

Moving Forward Together

The uncertainty coming from Washington, D.C. is meant to slow progress. But Washington state knows who we are. By standing by our values: responsibility, fairness, stewardship, and community, we can protect families from rising costs, keep housing within reach, and build a clean energy future that works for everyone.

I will continue fighting for these priorities in the legislature, challenging harmful federal actions, and doing the steady, day-to-day work of delivering results for our district. Thank you for the honor of serving you and our neighbors in the 40^th legislative district.