Washington voters uphold landmark climate law against challenge from conservatives
Voters in Washington state have upheld a groundbreaking law that is forcing companies to cut carbon emissions while raising billions of dollars for programs that include habitat restoration and preparing for climate change
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Voters in Washington state on Tuesday upheld a groundbreaking law that is forcing companies to cut carbon emissions while raising billions of dollars for programs that include habitat restoration and preparing 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, faced a repeal effort from conservatives. They blamed it for ramping up energy and gas costs in Washington, which has long had some of the highest gas prices in the nation.
“Tonight’s results demonstrate the power of a historic coalition and grassroots movement that came together to say ‘no’ to more pollution, and said they want to protect our clean air, water, land, and transportation investments,” Wellesley Daniels, who managed the campaign against the repeal effort, said in a written statement.
The law, a signature accomplishment of outgoing Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, 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.
