Environmental groups lay out green agenda

"Washington’s environmental groups will lobby the 2009 Legislature to impose a “polluter pays” levy on oil companies. The money would help pay the cost of reducing contaminated runoff into the state’s waters.

The Washington Environmental Council, a coalition of the state’s major environmental groups, also will urge lawmakers to move ahead with adopting a “cap and invest” system for carbon emissions, which would require polluters to buy permits to emit carbon. The revenue would be used to create green energy jobs, spur innovation, and provide assistance to people who are struggling with high energy costs..."