In Washington, we know just how beautiful and valuable our environment is. We must act to protect our environment and to create a more sustainable future for our children. Environmental justice is a core value in the 36th Legislative District, and I look forward to the passage of a carbon tax, and investment into a clean energy economy for our entire state.

Clean Air & Water

Clean air and clean drinking water are the foundation for healthy communities. We must keep the Puget Sound and local waterways clean and invest in prevention and conservation programs and policies.

Noel supported:

  • HB 1144 – Greenhouse gas framework (CO-SPONSOR)
  • HB 1210 – Increasing revenue to the oil spill prevention account (CO-SPONSOR, PASSED as SB 6269)
  • HB 2182 – Increased funding for Model Toxics Control Act account
  • HB 2658 – Concerning the use of perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging (CO-SPONSOR, PASSED)
  • HB 2280 – Expanding community solar gardens (CO-SPONSOR)

What’s next?

Proposed oil pipelines in the Puget Sound region are a pressing concern, and Noel is committed to protecting our precious water resources, as well as the orcas, salmon and other local wildlife that depend on this habitat.

Protecting Native Species

Washington State has a beautiful ecosystem with a stunning variety of native plant and animal life.  We must protect water flows for our fish and fund conservation efforts that will protect our native species.

Noel supported:

  • HB 2285 – Establishing reporting process for DNR regarding marbled murrelet habitat information (PASSED)
  • HB 2957 – Banning net pen farming of non-native Atlantic Salmon Salmon (PASSED)

Noel opposed:

  • ESSB 6091 – So-called “Hirst” decision fix, which violated the sovereign rights of tribal nations

What’s next?

Preservation of salmon, orcas, and other native species and protecting their habitats from destruction or contamination is a critical priority.  Not only have these species been an integral part of the diet and culture of the native tribes from this region, but they are vital to a healthy ecosystem.

Expanding Transit Access

Expanding access to public transit to provide alternatives to the use of single-occupancy vehicles is one of the smartest investments we can make to reduce carbon emissions. These investments also contribute to racial and social equity, ensuring folks can get to and from work quickly and reliably.

Noel supported:

  • Endorsed, supported and defended Sound Transit 3 (ST3) to create regional light rail infrastructure.

Noel opposed:

  • HB 2201 – changing Motor Vehicle Excise Tax schedule used to determine car tab fees, resulting in a significant loss of revenue to Sound Transit and possibly delaying implementation of ST3.

What’s next?

Sound Transit requires millions of labor hours, creating the potential for careers for many in our region as it gets built out over the next 20 years. Noel is committed to applying a social, racial and economic justice lens to this work of expanding mass transit over the next two decades, ensuring that this work not only benefits the environment but that this expansion also benefits economically disenfranchised communities through access to the jobs and careers to build it.