WASHINGTON CONSERVATION VOTERS
2017 Legislative Candidate Questionnaire
Washington Conservation Voters is the statewide political voice for the environment. We work to
elect environmentally responsible candidates to state and local offices. Working with our allies in
the community, we advocate for strong environmental policies and hold our elected officials
accountable during the legislative session. Through our political work we are strengthening laws
that safeguard the health of our communities, the beauty of our state and our economic future.
About this questionnaire: WCV thanks you for taking time out of your busy campaign schedule to
complete this questionnaire. Your responses will be an important factor in our endorsement
consideration.
Introduction: As an elected official you will consider numerous environmental issues and have an
opportunity to lead on important initiatives. The following questionnaire is designed to provide us with
an understanding of how you would lead on environmental issues. Throughout your campaign and if
elected to office we hope you utilize us as a resource to educate and inform you on environmental
issues.
Instructions: Return the completed questionnaire by e-mail to [email protected]. Include your
resume as a separate file. If we do not receive a timely submission, we may not be able to consider you
for a WCV endorsement. Please contact Lennon Bronsema with any questions.
Your contact information
Name:
Position you are running for:
Email:
Phone - Campaign:
Phone – Mobile:
Campaign Website:
Your experience
a. Please attach a copy of your resume or a list of your professional and civic experiences that provides
an understanding of your qualifications to serve as an elected official.
b. Please briefly describe, in your personal or professional life, what you are doing to be a leader on
environmental protection, conservation and/or sustainability.
Environmental Issues - Essay
The issues below affect all of our communities. Please write one to two paragraphs about the following
issues facing our environment.
a. Climate change, water pollution, and air pollution disproportionately affect communities of color
and people with lower incomes. What’s the relationship between public health, equity, and pollution
in your jurisdiction and what policy solutions will you advocate to address these inequities?
b. Your community is an integral part of a complex watershed. What will you be considering as you
legislate to ensure your community’s water and waterways are protected?
c. What legislation or other steps can you take in office to ensure the protection of citizens against the
increased threats posed by moving more oil and coal through our state by trains, pipeline, and
vessels?
d. What opportunities, economic, workforce, or otherwise do you see presented, as our state transitions
away from a fossil fuel economy? As a legislator how will you move the state towards a clean
energy economy?
e. The voter-approved Model Toxic Control Act (MTCA) has in recent years come under immense
pressure through budget raiding and declining revenues. MTCA provides funding for cleaning up
toxic waste sites, preventing pollution, awarding grants to communities facing a toxic pollution
problem, and creates jobs in the process. This work is funded through a tax on hazardous substances
including oil and pesticides, and industry forces would like to eliminate or reduce the tax. What do
you see as the role of government in providing dedicated funding for cleaning up toxic sites,
preventing pollution, and other pressing needs?
f. I-937, the Clean Energy Initiative, which was passed by voters in 2006, has been largely responsible
for over $7.5 billion in investment in wind and other renewable energy development in Washington
State as well as more greenhouse gas reduction than any other policy. However, there is no
additional expansion of renewable investment after 2020. Would you support a proposal that would
require energy efficiency and renewable’s to be the only resources used to meet our energy growth
needs after 2020?
g. What policy changes, if necessary, would you support that make better use of forests to sequester
carbon, promote forest treatments that prevent fire, and encourage more environmentally protective
forest practices?
Yes / No Questions

Do you acknowledge that human actions are the primary contributor to climate change?
Circle one:
Yes or No

Would you be open to representing your community on leadership committees to try and
address threats to our environment at the local level, such as the Safe Energy Leadership
Alliance (SELA)?
Circle one:
Yes or No
Your Campaign
a. Who is your campaign team? (Consultant / Fundraiser / Campaign Manager / Etc.)
b. What are your top campaign issues? If none are environmental, what is the most important
environmental issue to you?
c. If you receive our endorsement would you be willing to work with Washington Conservation
Voters in the future and reach out to other elected officials about environmental issues?