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Carbon tax initiative appears headed to Washington state ballot

Published  December 24, 2015 2:30pm PST
Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — Sponsors of a Washington state initiative to tax carbon emissions has decided to go ahead and put it on the ballot, despite a competing climate proposal.


The Seattle Times reports (http://is.gd/gyNtAl ) the Initiative 732 campaign made the decision Wednesday night.

They plan to turn in more than 350,000 signatures.

I-732 would cut sales and business taxes equal to a new fee on carbon pollution, which sponsors say would be a revenue-neutral approach. The proposal would add a $25 per ton fee on fossil fuels.

An alternative proposal from the Alliance for Clean Jobs and Energy would institute a carbon fee to raise money to pay for clean and alternative energy programs.

The two groups had been talking about combining their proposals.

I-732 is an initiative to the Legislature, which would force lawmakers to either pass the measure or send it to a public vote.