Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller

YouTube video by Clean & Prosperous The opportunity is here. Let’s get that SHIIT built. 👷 #WAClimateAction

We’re working to streamline permitting and break down barriers in order to move Washington’s clean energy economy forward. We have huge opportunities in our state as we come together to get these projects built. www.youtube.com/shorts/37uM2...

Director Sixkiller and other panelists speaking on the stage of the Future of Carbon Policy Forum event.

Director Sixkiller smiling with Kurt Beckett on the stage of the Future of Carbon Policy Forum event.

I was pleased to join a panel discussion with @cleanandprosperous.bsky.social last week on how we can accelerate the shift to clean energy. We’re on the right path, and we need to pick up the pace so we are ready for the challenges ahead.

Report finds $149 billion backlog of clean energy projects in WA The report, cheekily named “Build SHIIT Now,” says more than 250 projects, 580,000 jobs, and 24 gigawatts are at risk in Washington state due to bureaucratic delays.

Washington’s energy needs are growing – and clean energy offers us the best path to build that capacity quickly and affordably, while also protecting our environment.

Yesterday I joined @governorferguson.bsky.social, @markoliias.bsky.social, and others to celebrate the launch a new sustainable aviation accelerator. This is a big step toward decarbonizing air travel and continuing our region’s global leadership in aerospace.

This support comes at a historic moment as millions of gallons of tank waste dating back nearly 80 years are now being turned into glass for long-term disposal. Funding would also continue critical, sitewide environmental cleanup efforts to protect the Columbia River and surrounding community.

An aerial view of industrial buildings on the Hanford Site.

Thanks to the steadfast leadership of @murray.senate.gov and strong support from the entire Washington delegation, this week the House passed a budget package that includes record funding for the cleanup mission at the Hanford nuclear site.

Washington state leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration’s absurd attempt to stop the TransAlta power plant transition from coal.

The facts:

✅ There is no "energy emergency."
✅ Coal power generation has already essentially ceased.
✅ This would likely increase costs for consumers

A news headline from E&E News by Politico: EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites

You can erase the science, but you can’t erase what people are experiencing.

We're seeing the impacts of climate change happening now — flooding, extreme heat and drought — and they can't be ignored. That's why we continue to make real climate science a priority in Washington.

Spills responders in reflective clothing standing and providing updates to Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller standing on gravel with a cloudy, gray sky in the background.

Spills responders in reflective clothing standing together and providing updates to Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller with construction machinery and grey clouds in the background.

Our spill responders are on-call 24/7 to protect WA's environment. Last weekend, I visited the site of the Olympic Pipeline leak to meet with our Ecology team and other responders. I’m grateful for their quick response and careful monitoring to minimize environmental impacts as the leak is repaired.

Now open: Ecology's $25 million "Rails, Keels, and Wheels" grant to fund zero-emission vehicles The latest Ecology grant funded by the VW federal settlement is now open for applications. "Rails, Keels, and Wheels" is open to both businesses and non-profits.

Diesel exhaust continues to pose significant public health risks in WA, especially for communities located near industrial operations. Our new $25M grant program will reduce harmful diesel emissions by helping operators transition their fleets and equipment to cleaner, zero emission technologies.

Washington is building a better future for our communities, environment, and economy.

We’re keeping our rules updated and investing $160M in clean trucks & charging infrastructure — plus another $26.3M to build a West Coast electric & hydrogen trucking corridor.

Let’s keep moving forward.

It’s difficult to overstate how important this milestone is in the Hanford cleanup effort. Thousands of Washingtonians worked for decades to bring us to this moment. They deserve recognition for this achievement.

Trump Policies Undermine Washington’s Climate Goals, Ecology Chief Says Air Date: October 2, 2025 Paul W. Taylor, TVW

Thank you TVW for the opportunity to discuss the work we're doing at @ecology.wa.gov to protect Washington's environment on “Inside Olympia.” Washington continues to lead the way on climate, environment and science – and state leadership has never been more important.
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Clean, affordable transportation is not some lofty, futuristic goal - it is already underway. Washington and like-minded governments are proving that state leadership, smart policy, and public demand can drive lasting progress. The momentum is real, and we are not slowing down.

We’re also working with other states to defend our rights in court and collaborate through efforts like the @usclimate.bsky.social and the Accelerating to Zero Coalition also helps us stay in the driver’s seat on climate progress. State-level action and coordination are critical to lasting success.

Despite federal rollbacks, we’re not backing down. Washington has committed $130 million to zero-emission trucks, tripled public charging over the past decade, and we also just launched ZEVergreen, a statewide effort to shape the next wave of clean transportation policy.

People want to make the switch—it's more affordable and good for the climate. So this is about breaking down barriers to adoption.

Director Casey Sixkiller holds a microphone on stage with Yana Garcia, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, California and Drew Kodjak, President & CEO of the International Council on Clean Transportation.

Earlier this week, I joined a #ClimateWeekNewYork fireside chat with Secretary Yana Garcia of @californiaepa.bsky.social and Drew Kodjak of @theicct.org to talk about the question we’ve all been asking:

How do we keep increasing clean vehicle adoption in this federal environment?

Proud to stand with @usclimate.bsky.social at #ClimateWeekNYC and deliver on a powerful promise: when states lead, the nation moves.

Thank you @governorferguson.bsky.social for your commitment to climate actions that makes daily life more affordable for Washingtonians. We’re excited to break down barriers to zero-emission vehicles and unlock their cost savings.

Members’ honest comments about the challenges of navigating regulations while providing critical services to their communities were taken to heart.

We’re committed to working together tackle these issues and provide excellent service to the people of Washington.

Director Sixkiller sitting and speaking with Clark Halvorson on stage at a conference.

Thank you Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts and Executive Director Clark Halvorson for inviting me to your conference. Our state’s 180+ water and sewer districts are important partners for Ecology – they serve about ¼ of the state’s water and wastewater needs.

A statement from Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller that reads "This is a win for California and for states like Washington that are taking meaningful actions to confront the impacts of climate change, support innovation, and transition our economy away from fossil fuels. Climate change remains one of the most urgent and far-reaching threats to our health, economies, and ecosystems. Tackling it requires real science, sustained commitment, and the collective strength of like-minded governments moving in lockstep toward a more resilient and carbon-free future. There has never been a more important time for states to lead on this issue, and we look forward to continuing work with California to link our carbon markets. A combined market will help businesses make long-term investments in reducing carbon pollution and building a clean energy economy."

Congrats, @airresources.bsky.social, on successfully extending your Cap-and-Trade program! We’re excited to see the West Coast continuing to lead our nation on climate action.

A person in a light blue shirt speaks into a microphone to address a seated crowd in a large auditorium. Behind him is a presentation slide reading “East Selah community feedback forum and report-back of agency projects.”

East Selah, thank you for talking with me Monday evening about your experiences with PFAS contamination. I heard the shared frustration in the room. We are still advocating for clean drinking water and a full cleanup response from the Army to get you the answers (and solutions) you have waited for.

The EPA is attempting to undo its own authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by going against science and the law. Tune in this afternoon as we join with other states to voice our strong opposition and protect people from pollution.

These projects and ongoing activities across the site serve as a reminder of the importance to keep advocating for a compliant federal cleanup budget to keep this work on track.

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller (left) and Deputy Director Heather Bartlett (right) stand excitedly wearing safety glasses during a tour of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

People sit around tables with black tablecloths positioned in a rectangular shape during a presentation for the Hanford Advisory Board.

We’re continuing to work toward the start of cleanup activities like turning nuclear tank waste into glass and transferring cesium and strontium capsules to safer dry storage.

Director Casey Sixkiller and Deputy Director Heather Bartlett watch a demonstration of vitrified glass being poured onto a tray during a tour of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller stands with members of the U.S. Department of Energy outside the Hanford site during a recent visit to Tri-Cities.

I had the pleasure of visiting Tri-Cities to see first-hand the tremendous progress and challenges in the cleanup work at the Hanford Site. This visit gave me the invaluable chance to tour the site and to meet and hear from our team overseeing the cleanup work and groups engaged in Hanford issues.