Just another reason why not to live on the left coast.
Washington state makes second attempt to establish first U.S. carbon tax
• The Clean Air, Clean Energy Initiative 1631 (I-1631) has been qualified for the November ballot by the Secretary of State’s Office with nearly 350,000 signatures submitted
• I-1631 carries a $500,000 price tag and would create a 15-to-40 cent/gallon increase in gasoline prices at the pump (according to a study done by the Washington Policy Center)
• Combined with increased costs for heating and electricity, an average residence in Seattle initially would pay an incremental ~$170 annually, increasing to $510/household in 2029
• Under I-1631 Washington state would apply the nation’s first direct fee/tax on carbon emitters based on the carbon content of fossil fuels sold or used and in the electricity consumed
• A fee of $15/metric ton of carbon content would be assessed starting in 2020, after which the fee would increase annually by $2/metric ton
• The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is urging voters to reject the measure and instead work to create market-based programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• “Unfortunately, the program I-1631 would impose will not meet the intended carbon reduction goals while raising costs on consumers and industry” – Kara Siepmann, WSPA’s Strategic Communications Manager
• In 2016 Washington voters rejected a ballot measure to create a carbon tax, with 58% opposed to Initiative 732
Washington state makes second attempt to establish first U.S. carbon tax
• The Clean Air, Clean Energy Initiative 1631 (I-1631) has been qualified for the November ballot by the Secretary of State’s Office with nearly 350,000 signatures submitted
• I-1631 carries a $500,000 price tag and would create a 15-to-40 cent/gallon increase in gasoline prices at the pump (according to a study done by the Washington Policy Center)
• Combined with increased costs for heating and electricity, an average residence in Seattle initially would pay an incremental ~$170 annually, increasing to $510/household in 2029
• Under I-1631 Washington state would apply the nation’s first direct fee/tax on carbon emitters based on the carbon content of fossil fuels sold or used and in the electricity consumed
• A fee of $15/metric ton of carbon content would be assessed starting in 2020, after which the fee would increase annually by $2/metric ton
• The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is urging voters to reject the measure and instead work to create market-based programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• “Unfortunately, the program I-1631 would impose will not meet the intended carbon reduction goals while raising costs on consumers and industry” – Kara Siepmann, WSPA’s Strategic Communications Manager
• In 2016 Washington voters rejected a ballot measure to create a carbon tax, with 58% opposed to Initiative 732
