Current:Home > MyLandmark Washington climate law faces possible repeal by voters -TradeCircle
Landmark Washington climate law faces possible repeal by voters
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:04:12
Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Voters in Washington state are considering whether to repeal a groundbreaking law that is forcing companies to cut carbon emissions while raising billions of dollars for programs that include habitat restoration and helping communities prepare for climate change.
Just two years after it was passed, the Climate Commitment Act, one of the most progressive climate policies ever passed by state lawmakers, is under fire from conservatives. They blame it for ramping up energy and gas costs in Washington, which has long had some of the highest gas prices in the nation.
The law requires major polluters to pay for the right to do so by buying “allowances.” One allowance equals 1 metric ton of greenhouse gas pollution. Each year the number of allowances available for purchase drops — with the idea of forcing companies to find ways to cut their emissions.
The law aims to slash carbon emissions to almost half of 1990 levels by the year 2030.
Those in favor of keeping the policy say not only would repeal not guarantee lower prices, but it would jeopardize billions of dollars in state revenue for years to come. Many programs are already funded, or soon will be, by the money polluters pay — including investments in air quality, fish habitat, wildfire prevention and transportation.
For months, the group behind the repeal effort, Let’s Go Washington, which is primarily bankrolled by hedge fund executive Brian Heywood, has held more than a dozen events at gas stations to speak out against what they call the “hidden gas tax.”
The group has said the carbon pricing program has increased costs from 43 to 53 cents per gallon, citing the conservative think tank Washington Policy Center.
Gas has gone as high as $5.12 per gallon since the auctions started, though it stood at $4.03 in October, according to GasBuddy. And the state’s historic high of $5.54 came several months before the auctions started in February 2023.
Without the program, the Office of Financial Management estimates that nearly $4 billion would vanish from the state budget over the next five years. During the previous legislative session, lawmakers approved a budget that runs through fiscal year 2025 with dozens of programs funded through the carbon pricing program, with belated start dates and stipulations that they would not take effect if these funds disappear.
Washington was the second state to launch this type of program, after California, with stringent annual targets. Repeal would sink Washington’s plans to link up its carbon market with others, and could be a blow to its efforts to help other states launch similar programs.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Demi Moore shares update on Bruce Willis amid actor's dementia battle
- Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $333 million for January 30 drawing. See winning numbers
- Below Deck's Ben Willoughby Reveals the Real Reason for Camille Lamb Breakup
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Cher Denied Conservatorship of Son Elijah Blue Allman
- Taiwan holds military drills to defend against the threat of a Chinese invasion
- Democratic field set for special election that could determine control of Michigan House
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Investigator describes Michigan school shooter’s mom as cold after her son killed four students
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Military vet who killed Iraqi civilian in 2004 is ordered jailed on charges he used metal baton to assault officers during Capitol riot
- UK lawmakers are annoyed that Abramovich’s frozen Chelsea funds still haven’t been used for Ukraine
- Could Aldi be opening near Las Vegas? Proposal shows plans for Nevada's first location.
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Could seaweed help us survive a nuclear winter? A new study says yes.
- US worker paycheck growth slowed late last year, pointing to cooling in a very strong job market
- Horoscopes Today, January 31, 2024
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Broadway Star Hinton Battle Dead at 67
How 'Poor Things' actor Emma Stone turns her anxiety into a 'superpower'
Woman, 71, tried to murder her husband after he got a postcard from decades-old flame: Police
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
EBay will pay $59 million settlement over pill presses sold online as US undergoes overdose epidemic
Hours of new footage of Tyre Nichols' beating released: What we know
Olive oil in coffee? Oleato beverages launching in Starbucks stores across US