California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in Seattle to oppose Initiative 2117, a ballot measure that would eliminate a program requiring Washington’s largest polluters to pay for greenhouse gas emission permits and prevent future similar efforts. The cap-and-invest carbon market, created by the state’s Climate Commitment Act, has raised billions of dollars for climate programs, infrastructure projects, and job creation in climate tech companies. The initiative has been criticized as a hidden gas tax that contributes to high prices at the pump in the state.
The Climate Commitment Act, spearheaded by Gov. Inslee, is considered to be Washington’s most impactful climate law. With Inslee’s third term ending in January and no plans for a fourth, climate issues have been his main focus. The two governors held a rally in Seattle to support door-knocking efforts in the community in opposition to Initiative 2117. The campaign Let’s Go Washington, which supports the initiative, has not hosted similar events and has focused on calling voters and going door-to-door to discuss the initiatives with residents. Let’s Go Washington, led by Brian Heywood, is backing four initiatives on the ballot, having raised over $13.4 million, with almost half coming from Heywood.
The No on 2117 campaign, which has raised nearly $14.2 million, is supported by a coalition of over 500 organizations, including Microsoft, Amazon, bp America, and REI. Seventeen federally-recognized Tribal Nations in the state have also joined the campaign. The two governors reportedly engaged in friendly bantering over which state is leading in electric vehicle uptake, with California leading nationally but Washington trailing just behind on a per capita basis. Washington is currently exploring the possibility of linking its carbon market with California and Québec’s market to strengthen efforts in fighting climate change and reducing air pollution.
The Let’s Go Washington campaign has been critical of the No on 2117 efforts, stating that they have not invited out-of-state celebrities or career politicians to influence voters. Instead, Let’s Go Washington has focused on engaging volunteers and supporters within the state, hosting events and reaching out to voters through calls and door-to-door interactions. The campaign believes that residents should vote in their best interests, emphasizing their commitment to working with local supporters as the election approaches.
Overall, the opposition to Initiative 2117 centers around the belief that the program is a hidden gas tax and contributes to higher prices at the pump. Despite spirited debates and aggressive campaigning from both sides, the focus remains on the impact of the Climate Commitment Act and the potential consequences of repealing it. As the election nears, both campaigns are intensifying their efforts to sway voters and secure a victory for their respective positions on the issue.
