San Juan Islanders took a stand in Olympia on Monday, Jan. 8. Joined by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas, on the front steps of the state capital building on the first day of the legislative session, the group urged legislators to pass the Carbon Tax bill, the Oil Transportation bill and the bill opposing Atlantic fish pen farming.

The Carbon Tax bill if enacted would commit Washington State to electric vehicle fleets, create a 100 percent carbon-free electricity portfolio standard, and put a price on carbon emissions. It would phase out coal and further expansion of natural gas facilities while creating thousands of clean energy jobs.

The Oil Transportation bill ensures the same safety measures that are in place in San Francisco Bay for oil transport, including enhanced safety measures protecting against the risk of oil spills and providing a sustainable source of funding for the program.