This is the second in a series of monthly environmental news columns written by local leaders.

This legislative session, Washington State lawmakers are considering a set of bills that may not generate splashy headlines but together will shape our state’s climate future in deeply practical ways. These proposals—strengthening our electric grid, ensuring accountability for data center energy use, and cutting red tape for small-scale solar—are the kind of smart, pragmatic climate policy our state needs.

Our local legislators—Sen. Drew Hansen and Reps. Greg Nance and Tarra Simmons—have shown leadership on climate issues in the past. Now they need to hear from constituents that these bills matter to us. You can email them your opinions at https://leg.wa.gov/legislators.

The first proposal is SB 5466/HB 1673, legislation to support a reliable power grid. Washington’s clean energy goals depend on it. (Bills follow two paths: an HB in the House and an SB in the Senate). As we electrify transportation and buildings and as data centers expand, demand for electricity is rising fast. At the same time, we are adding more renewable generation—wind, solar, and storage—often located far from where electricity is ultimately used. Without a modern, expanded transmission system, even the cleanest power can’t get where it needs to go. Puget Sound Energy has warned that brownouts could happen without more grid resilience.

This bill strengthens statewide planning and coordination for transmission, streamlines permitting for upgrades to existing lines, and gives utilities incentives to invest in badly needed infrastructure. This is all about fixing transmission bottlenecks, improving reliability, and ensuring that clean power can reach homes and businesses. The Senate passed this with bipartisan support (including Sen. Hansen’s) last year. It needs to pass the House this session.

Lawmakers are also working on HB 2515/SB 6171, addressing the rapidly growing footprint of data centers. Washington is an attractive location for these facilities, which power everything from cloud computing to AI. But data centers are also enormous energy users, and some are pursuing on-site power generation to meet their needs. How do we ensure these facilities meet our clean energy goals while continuing to benefit from public tax incentives?

The answer: Don’t chase data centers away; set clear, fair rules. Data centers should be held to the same clean energy and emissions standards as everyone else, and ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill for new capacity. Done right, data centers can be a boon for clean energy generation in Washington.

Finally, the Legislature is considering a people-powered idea: reducing barriers for plug-in solar (HB 2296/SB 6050). In Europe, people can go to the equivalent of a Home Depot, buy a small solar panel kit, plug it into a standard wall outlet, and immediately start offsetting their household electricity use. These systems are modest in size, pose minimal grid risk, and are particularly well-suited for renters, apartment dwellers, and people who can’t afford a full rooftop installation.

But these tiny systems can require months-long utility interconnection agreements, making them impractical for most consumers. Other states are solving this problem. Utah, for example, has exempted small plug-in systems from complex interconnection requirements. The result: faster adoption, lower costs, and broader access to clean energy. Our state should follow suit.

Taken together, these proposals reflect a mature climate agenda: one that focuses not just on ambition, but on implementation. A clean energy future requires strong transmission, fair rules for large energy users, and simple pathways for everyday people to participate.

Our local legislators need to hear your opinions on these bills. Go to leg.wa.gov to send your feedback. This session, the Legislature has the tools. Let’s urge our representatives to use them.

Mike Kelly is a volunteer leader with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, an organization that aims to bridge divides and build political will for effective climate solutions. He lives on Bainbridge Island.