Washington law to cap carbon emissions causes higher prices at the pump

STATE LINE, Idaho — Many Washington drivers are heading to Idaho for cheaper gas, as gas stations near State Line are nearly a dollar less per gallon than in Eastern Washington.

As gas prices continue to rise, drivers say it’s putting a squeeze on them once again.

“It’s horrible. It’s a joke. I just can’t do it,” said Stacy Drury, who lives in Washington.

Drury drives to work every day in Spokane, and she’s noticed the higher prices at the pump. And with food prices still on the rise, she says it’s worth coming to State Line to fill up her tank.

“It’s worth it to come out here. It took me 10 minutes to get here and I am getting almost free gas,” she said. …

Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says the implementation of Washington’s new law to cap carbon emissions could be one of the factors.

“At the start of the year, Washington and Oregon gas prices were very similar. Now Washington’s prices are the result of cap and trade, 40 cents per gallon higher than Oregon. That put them now on top of the nation,” de Haan said.

The state law took effect to curb climate change, which could cost refineries more to emit greenhouse gas emissions. …

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