A campaign bankrolled by the oil industry has raised $20.4 million to defeat a carbon pollution fee on Washington state’s November ballot aimed at tackling climate change.
Initiative 1631 would charge large emitters of fossil fuels a carbon pollution fee, raising an estimated $2.3 billion in the first five years to fund a wide range of programs intended to carbon emissions. The carbon fee initially would be set at $15 per ton of carbon pollution, which would add about 14 cents per gallon to the cost of gasoline, and an additional penny to a gas of diesel.
The fee would take effect in January 2020 and increase each year by $2 per metric ton, with an adjustment for inflation.
To counter the fee’s regressive nature, the initiative sets aside funds to be used to help lower-income residents reduce fossil-fuel use, and to cut pollution where they live. The fee would be paid by fuel distributors, utilities and some other large emitters, who could pass it on to their customers.
The money raised so far by the No on 1631 campaign, sponsored by the Western States Petroleum Association, puts it near the top in fundraising efforts by a statewide initiative campaign. Oil companies have given the bulk of money to oppose the measure. Phillips 66 is the top donor with $7.2 million in cash.
Supporters have raised more than $6 million, led by the Nature Conservancy’s donation of $1 million in cash. (AP, Seattle Times)
