Washington State Carbon Tax Fail After Big Oil Campaign
The Carbon Emissions Fee and Revenue Allocation Initiative, known as Initiative 1631, would have imposed a $15 fee on each metric ton of carbon emissions, rising $2 a year until the state’s 2035 emissions target is met.
With about two million votes counted Nov. 7, the “no” votes led with 56.32%.
The carbon fee aimed to generate $2.3 billion over five years for clean energy and air programs, according to a state analysis. The oil industry was expected to feel most pain because transport contributes 43% of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state, a 2016 state report said.