Senate hears Dye's bill on urban heat islands

Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, is hoping to reduce the negative effects of urban heat islands, or areas that are typically warmer than surrounding areas, with a bill she is heading during this year’s state legislative session.

House Bill 1114 would encourage municipal electric utilities or local public utility districts to help consumers make more energy-efficient choices, such as installing cool roofs instead of standard roofs, according to the bill’s text.

Cool roofs absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight than standard roofs, according to the bill’s text. This can reduce the demand for more air-conditioning, especially during summer.

Dye, who represents the 9th district, is HB 1114’s primary sponsor. Dye said during an online hearing March 11 urban heat islands cause a significant impact on the state, including areas like Seattle.

“On a warm summer day it can be as high as 17 degrees warmer than the surrounding rural areas,” Dye said.

Seattle is not the only urban heat island; West Coast cities are usually more susceptible to being heat islands, and heat islands are a contributing factor in climate change, Dye said.

The legislature needs to have a comprehensive conversation about urban heat island mitigation, Dye said, because it inflicts negative environmental impacts on the state.

“I think it’s an issue that, as a state legislature, we need to take very seriously,” Dye said.

Under HB 1114, the tree planting programs municipal electric utilities, local public utility districts or investor-owned utilities engage in would have to reach specific goals, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing energy consumption.

“Nature-based solutions can help deliver resilient, affordable and equitable infrastructure but only if departments can work together for the good of their communities,” Dye said.

Dye said millions of dollars were spent in San Francisco since the 1990s to reduce the effects of urban heat, and 450,000 trees were planted around the city.

“The long-term effect is the improvement in the region’s air quality and enhancing the quality of life,” Dye said. “It enhances the aesthetics of the community and improves property values.”

The state House of Representatives passed HB 1114 unanimously Feb. 25. On March 16, the bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy and Technology. The bill moved March 17 to the Senate Rules Committee for a second reading.