Overview:
During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies regarding the Environment and Energy.
- Distribution of Fiscal Impacts of the CCA (2025) House Page, Jana Berahman, asks Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee Chair: Sharon Shewmake, (D) 42nd District, and Ranking Committee Member, Matt Boehnke (R) 8th District, about how the Climate Commitment Act will manage emission caps over time, in a fiscally responsible way.
- Future & Safety of Nuclear (2025) Senate Page, Ryan Benham, asks Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee Chair: Sharon Shewmake, (D) 42nd District, and Ranking Committee Member, Matt Boehnke (R) 8th District, the question: “With the rise in energy demands, polls show increasing public support for nuclear energy but many voters have concerns about safety and waste disposal. How do you balance these concerns with the need for clean and reliable energy?”
- Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling (2025) Senate Page, Hannah Kim, asks Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee Chair: Sharon Shewmake, (D) 42nd District, and Ranking Committee Member, Matt Boehnke (R) 8th District, “… House Bill 1550 sets out to improve the end of life management of electric vehicle batteries. As someone who comes from a family that uses electric vehicles, like millions of others, I am interested in what the state legislature is doing about this issue. If this bill makes it to the senate floor, would you support this legislation or are there amendments that you would suggest to improve it?
Essential Questions:
- How do the beliefs of those in the majority party differ from those in the minority party?
- How does Washington State’s energy policies benefit Washingtonians?
- What are the drawbacks of Washington State’s energy policies?
The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee considers issues relating to:
- Air quality
- The Puget Sound Partnership
- The State Environmental Policy Act
- Oil spill prevention
- Recycling and solid waste
- Toxic substances
- Hazardous and toxic waste
- Telecommunications including broadband
- Energy
- Climate change
- Stormwater management
- Nuclear waste
- Technology
Environment & Energy