Washington’s gas prices are soaring this February. … Washington’s gas tax is now $0.55 gallon and set to go up again in July. Most of the price disparity can be attributed to that and the state’s carbon taxes, which are approximately 40-50 cents per gallon. Certainly a lot more than the “pennies” promised by CCA […]
News
Lawmakers must preserve climate funding for its intended purpose
In Gov. Bob Ferguson’s effort to balance this year’s state budget, he suggests siphoning more than a half-billion dollars raised from carbon polluters to fund annual rebate checks to lower-income residents. But this sweep of funds raised through the state’s Climate Commitment Act carries risks for lawmakers. A wide majority of voters recently made clear […]
In Our View: Climate act needs accurate information
… Officials at the state Department of Commerce revealed this week that predictions about the effectiveness of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act have missed the mark. Expanding on the “missed the mark” characterization, if this were a basketball game, the shot would have flown beyond the hoop and hit a spectator in the upper deck. Carbon […]
Washington state’s climate-fighting claim is hot air, officials admit
Washington state officials have issued a correction after they were caught exaggerating the benefits of state spending to curb climate change. Proceeds from the state’s quarterly auctions of carbon dioxide permits are keeping far less pollution out of the air than officials have been claiming. Since the first auction in February 2023, major polluters in […]
Harger: WA has third-highest gas prices in nation. Now the state admits its climate program data was off by 96x
It takes a lot to shock me anymore. I’ve covered the Washington government for years. I understand rounding errors. I get that numbers shift, estimates change, projections don’t always pan out. That’s bureaucracy. That’s life. What the state quietly admitted Tuesday afternoon is different. WA drivers are paying billions more at the pump. For what, […]
Welch: State’s climate act failing to deliver on promises
Democratic lawmakers in Olympia sold the Climate Commitment Act with this promise: higher fuel costs today would mean stronger protection from floods tomorrow. That pledge helped justify what amounts to a hidden tax, now adding roughly 57 cents per gallon to gasoline, pushing the CCA’s effective fuel tax above Washington’s long-standing 52-cent gas tax. But […]
WA carbon market revenue hits $4.3B as prices reach record
Prices in Washington’s carbon market have continued to trend upward as the price of emission allowances reached an all-time high this month. The state held four auctions between September and December and raised just over $1.1 billion by selling over 16 million carbon emission allowances. … Allowances cost $64.30 in the September auction and $70.86 […]
Gas prices drop 21 cents in WA, still 37% higher than national average
Gas prices across Washington have fallen 21 cents per gallon since late October, although WA continues to rank among the top three worst states to fill up your tank. As of Nov. 25, Washington’s average price per gallon is $4.188, which is 37% higher than the national average of $3.055, according to AAA. In the […]
Washington Drivers Paying Nearly 45% More for Gas — State Among the Worst in the Nation
As of October 21, the average price per gallon in Washington is $4.402, a staggering $1.355 higher than the national average of $3.047. In the greater Seattle area, drivers are paying even more: $4.662 per gallon, which is 53% above the national average. That represents an increase of over 40 cents per gallon compared to […]
State halts rebates to farmers hit with fuel fees under WA climate law
Washington quietly ended funding this summer for a program that provided millions of dollars in rebates to farmers who paid unfair fuel surcharges under Washington’s landmark climate law. … Complicated carveout Central to the Climate Commitment Act are auctions for pollution allowances that refineries and other companies need to buy to offset their carbon emissions. […]