Initiative Measure Number 2117 - Carbon Tax Credit Trading

Summary

This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including "cap and trade" or "cap and tax" programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. It would repeal sections of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act as amended, including repealing the creation and modification of a "cap and invest" program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specific entities.

A Yes vote means you would support prohibiting state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including "cap and trade" or "cap and tax" programs, and this would repeal parts of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act, repealing the "cap and invest" program.

A No vote means you would allow state agencies to continue carbon tax credit trading programs, and allow for the creation of new versions of these programs in the future.

Arguments

"Supporters of the initiative contend the law has led to higher fuel and energy costs for consumers without delivering measurable improvements in air quality or the natural environment. Erasing the law should bring them relief, they argue. And it will allow lawmakers to devise other incentive-based approaches to get businesses to curb their emissions." - Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard, in support of Initiative Measure Number 2117 (Learn more)

"This cap and trade gas tax scheme has created over $1.5 BILLION for Olympia Bureaucrats in this year alone – paid for by working families – and it doesn't actually reduce emissions. If Democrats were actually successful with their climate programs, Jay Inslee wouldn't have to scrub his website of failures." - Let's Go Washington, in support of Initiative Measure Number 2117 (Learn more)

"If we are concerned about the cost of transportation for Washington businesses and residents, we have to keep our focus away from the arm-waving of the variations of gas prices that we've suffered through for decades and really look to true solutions, and the true solution to lower our transportation costs is to get off of fossil fuels." - Michael Mann, Executive Director for Clean & Prosperous Washington, in opposition to Initiative Measure Number 2117 (Learn more)

"I-2117 threatens vital protections for our waterways…including rivers, lakes, and streams, while ending programs that support fish habitat and salmon recovery…like programs that remove barriers that hurt spawning salmon and encourage landowners to plant native vegetation along salmon-bearing streams." - No 2117, in opposition to Initiative Measure Number 2117 (Learn more)

Measure Details