CLALLAM COUNTY – This November, Washington State voters will decide on whether to adopt a carbon fee that basically charges polluters for the right to emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. If the measure passes, Washington will make history, becoming not only the first state to adopt a carbon tax— but the first government anywhere to do so by ballot referendum.
Initiative 1631 is Gov. Inslee’s attempt to fight climate change and, of course, the Initiative has plenty of supporters and detractors.
Locally, the Clallam County PUD Commissioners just passed a resolution to oppose 1631, saying it’s their belief that it would increase costs to customers, erode the principle of “local control”, and compound regulatory requirements for the District; without an actual reduction in carbon emissions for our state’s energy sector.
We called Board President Ted Simpson to get a statement.
To learn more about Initiative 1631, the web address below will take you to the Washington State Voter’s Pamphlet, where you can read the explanatory statement as well as arguments for and against.