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 supporter, former Governor Jay Inslee.
The CCA has generated more than $4 billion in taxes since its creation in 2021. The state has refused to release any data on whether these taxes have actually impacted the climate in any way, though it is required to under the law. …
“That cost gets passed directly to all of us at the pump,” [KIRO host Gee Scott] said, adding that Washington’s higher gas taxes, limited fuel pipelines, shipping rules, and low competition at gas stations also contribute to the sticker shock.
“This is hitting hardest for people who are barely able to afford living here,” [Scott] said. “Working families are making tough choices about trips or even getting to work, while the people setting these policies don’t even notice the prices.”
Both hosts criticized the state for a lack of transparency regarding the environmental payoff of the CCA. Scott cited a recent report revealing that claimed emissions reductions were overstated by orders of magnitude — 7.5 million metric tons revised to just 78,000 tons.
“Until the state can show this policy actually works, maybe they should focus on lowering our gas prices,” [KIRO host Ursula Reutin] said.
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