2023 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Environment
Jay Inslee:
Continue to fight against climate change & salmon extinction
The Climate Commitment Act we passed in 2021 is now live. The act is helping us invest in the strongest suite of salmon recovery actions in state history. Salmon are iconic to our state and to tribes' cultures and way of life. Unfortunately,
climate change will continue increasing the temperatures of our waters and killing salmon. Providing shade that helps cool rivers and streams is critical for the years to come. Let's boldly continue our fight against climate change and salmon extinction.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wash. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Katie Hobbs:
I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly
In the next few minutes you will receive a previously unreleased report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources that shows that portions of Phoenix's far West Valley are currently short of the 100-year Assured Water Supply Program by 15% today.
This report unequivocally shows that we have to act now, or this will only be the first new area that faces this kind of shortage. I don't understand, and do not in any way agree with, my predecessor choosing to keep this report from the
public and from members of this legislature. However, my decision to release this report signals how I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly.[Note: The federally-funded Central Arizona Project conveys water about 190 miles from the
Colorado River on the Arizona-California border through a system of canals to Phoenix & Tucson (phoenix.gov); the "Assured Water Supply Program" includes diverting Colorado River water which would otherwise have reached California and Mexico].
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Laura Kelly:
Fully fund State Water Plan; water supply is diminishing
The single most important issue facing Western Kansas is water. Our water supply is diminishing. Parts of western Kansas have an estimated 10 years left. In this year's budget, we fully fund the State Water Plan for the second year in a row.
We'll divert more money to water projects by paying off other debt early?and we'll make additional investments to work with our producers and irrigators to ensure our water quality and quantity.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Mark Gordon:
More than 30 lawsuits challenging federal overreach
This way of life is being continually challenged by many in Washington, DC, who from their desks do not understand our western culture. Today, Wyoming is involved in more than 30 lawsuits challenging federal overreach and overregulation. The Attorney
General's team is getting some good results on federal vaccine mandates, strengthening the border, grizzly bear management, oil and gas interests, and simply requiring federal agencies to comply with the law when considering land transfers.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wyoming legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Spencer Cox:
We not going to let the Great Salt Lake disappear
We find ourselves in the greatest drought in the western United States in over 1,200 years. A report predicted that in just five short years the Great Salt Lake will completely disappear. Let me be absolutely clear. We are not going to let that happen.
Last year, your parents and grandparents in the Legislature passed 12 major water conservation bills and $500 million in new funding. And even more important, the people of Utah responded by saving billions of gallons of water in our time of need.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Tony Evers:
More than $100M to take a three-pronged approach on PFAS
I'm proposing to invest more than $100 million to take a three-pronged approach to confront PFAS across our state. We're going to increase PFAS testing, sampling, and monitoring statewide so we can find these contaminants and get them out of our water.
We're going to make more resources available to on-the-ground partners to respond to PFAS contamination when it happens. And we're going to work to increase awareness about the dangers of PFAS so folks can take steps to keep safe.
Note from CDC.gov: The per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Many PFAS are a concern because they:
- do not
break down in the environment,
- can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources,
- build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Janet Mills:
Strengthen our ability to detect and mitigate PFAS
We have dedicated more than $100 million over the past two years to address PFAS--funding environmental testing and remediation, creating a Trust Fund to assist farmers, installing more than 300 drinking water treatment systems, and establishing
temporary standards to protect drinking water. I am asking you to approve an additional $6 million in State and Federal funds to strengthen our ability to detect and mitigate PFAS, including sampling and continued testing of wells, soils and wildlife.
Explanation from federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products. PFAS persist in the environment and exposure
in people can occur by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food. Since 1999, CDC scientists have measured PFAS in blood serum, and found PFAS in the serum of nearly all of the people tested. This indicates widespread exposure in the U.S. population.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 14, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023