The 2024 election has been on everyone’s radar for quite some time, with the presidential race obviously getting a primary focus. But the presidential election isn’t the only election/issue worth focusing on, as local and state issues highly influence an individual’s life. Special districts have much more power and less accountability than most might imagine; city and county councils influence your daily life through essential services like fire departments, infrastructure, and waste management; state governments pass laws, maintain state infrastructure, and fund social services, among many other things. All of this is to say that down-ballot voting is, in many ways, incredibly important.
One current and very important down-ballot issue for Washington residents is State Initiative Measure No. 2117. The measure concerns carbon tax credit trading, with the exact wording of the measure stating:
“This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, and repeal legislation establishing a cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This measure would decrease funding for investments in transportation, clean air, renewable energy, conservation, and emissions-reduction.”
For some context, the Climate Commitment Act was passed by the Washington Legislature in 2021 and requires the state’s largest greenhouse gas polluters to pay if their emissions go over a specified limit, which will eventually put Washington in a state of net-zero carbon emission. The cap-and-invest program mentioned in the measure is included in the Climate Commitment Act and is run through Washington’s Department of Ecology. Businesses covered by the program include fuel suppliers, natural gas and electric utilities, and starting in 2031, railroads. This Act requires the state’s Department of Ecology to hold quarterly auctions for businesses to purchase carbon allowances and by eliminating the act, the state revenue would be reduced by $3.8 billion.
At least 35% of funds raised by the cap-and-invest program are subsequently invested in overburdened and often low-income communities and at least 10% go to projects with tribal support. Projects that are eligible for general funding from this program include transportation and green transit grants, investments in energy efficiency for agriculture, and HEAL Capacity Grants from the Washington Department of Health for community organizations. The Tribal Carbon Offset Assistance Grant and Tribal Consultation Grant are a part of the program and both provide funding for tribal members to consult on how revenue is spent and for carbon offset projects on federally recognized tribal lands.
Simply put, I-2117 would repeal the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and would subsiqunetly ban state agencies from implementing any carbon tax trading programs. This would eliminate vital funding for many different programs across the state, like the investment in green transit programs like the electric ferry to Guemes Island, upgrades to HVAC systems across the state, restoration projects for estuaries, fisheries, and marine shorelines, preservation of natural lands like the 650 acres of forest in Whatcom County, and community building. If the initiative is passed, the Tulalip Tribe alone would lose $500,000 for the Spencer Island restoration project on the Snohomish River and the Quinault Indian Nation would lose funds for its village relocation project, a virtual project as they are trying to escape a rising ocean. Not only does the funding from the CCA help environmental projects, it also directly invests into communities and helps create jobs in Washington. See other projects funded by the CCA here.
A diverse and multifaceted coalition of organizations and individuals across the state and from multiple industries have opposed I-2117, including Rick Steves, Bill Nye the Science Guy, the Brewster-Pateros Food Pantry in Okanogan County, MomsRising, Invest in Washington, Gender Justice League, House Our Neighbors, the Washington State PTA, Mujeres in Action, and the Washington State Budget and Policy Center. Firefighters, small business owners, environmental leaders, scientists, health care professionals like doctors and nurses, labor unions, and 17 tribal nations have also joined together to oppose the initiative.
We are running out of time to make significant changes in our world to protect the planet and our home and if passed, I-2117 would eliminate an important resource for Washington residents and organizations and significantly set us back. Join me in voting NO on I-2117 this election to keep Washington’s Climate Commitment Act in place.
