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Hearing on embodied‑carbon standards draws industry split and environmental justice support
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Summary
HB 2273 would require embodied carbon reduction standards for large building projects via three compliance paths (reuse, product EPD coverage, or whole‑building life‑cycle assessment) and a 30% reduction target tied to the 2030 code. Architects, community groups and Commerce supported the bill; aggregate and concrete industry groups opposed mandatory reductions and raised supply‑chain and EPD comparability concerns.
Committee staff described House Bill 22 73 as a bill to reduce embodied carbon emissions of buildings and building materials by directing the State Building Code Council to adopt standards and rules and by providing three compliance pathways: (1) building reuse that preserves at least 45% of an existing structure; (2) product‑level compliance where covered products (90% by product count) meet reduction requirements measured by global warming potential (EPDs); and (3) a whole building life cycle assessment compared to a functionally equivalent reference building. The bill would also allow a 30% reduction target for projects permitted under the 2030 state building code.
Chris Hellstrom (American Institute of Architects Washington Council) testified in support, saying architects already measure and reduce embodied carbon and that the profession can implement reductions without major cost increases. "Products and materials with lower embodied carbon do not cost more," he said, and offered to provide a one‑page summary of how a 30% reduction can be achieved.
Hannah Waterstrat (Washington Department of Commerce) told the committee HB 22 73 aligns with the state's buy‑clean/buy‑fair reporting law and with recommendations to develop whole‑building life‑cycle standards and project‑level data; Commerce said it would provide technical feedback on timelines and could support implementation.
Industry groups including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association expressed strong reservations. Cori Shaw said EPDs are not interchangeable across materials and warned of supply‑chain limitations for low‑carbon alternatives, urging more work within an existing working group before a mandatory 30% target is imposed. Jeff Pack (Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes) opposed the bill on affordability grounds and criticized what he called selective exemptions for schools.
Community advocates, including Alexandra Johnson (Duwamish River Community Coalition), urged the committee to center environmental justice and equity, arguing that embodied carbon policies reduce upstream pollution that disproportionately harms overburdened neighborhoods.
The committee heard technical questions, accepted offers for follow‑up materials (for example, AIA’s one‑pager on methods to meet 30% reduction) and closed the hearing without taking a vote.
