Commerce outlines climate-resiliency requirements, online policy tool and grant timeline

Department of Commerce officials told the Washington State Senate Local Government Committee that the climate planning law passed in 2023 requires two subelements in local plans: a resilience subelement that applies to all jurisdictions and a greenhouse gas–reduction subelement that applies mainly to larger metropolitan counties. Dave Anderson, senior managing director for growth management at Commerce, said the resilience element must address natural hazards, identify and protect natural areas, and use scientifically credible climate projections to guide policy and project choices.