User:Narayansg/Initiative 1631

The Washington Carbon Emissions Fee and Revenue Allocation Initiative, also known as Initiative 1631 or the Protect Washington Act is a ballot measure that will appear on ballots in the State of Washington in the November 2018 election. The initiative proposes to reduce pollution by levying a fee on greenhouse gas emissions generated within the state of Washington, and using that revenue to support air quality and energy projects, as well as water quality and forest health initiatives.

Measure Design
If the measure passes, beginning on January 1, 2020, a fee of $15 will be enacted on each metric ton of carbon emitted in the state of Washington. The fee would increase by $2 every year until the state's greenhouse gas emissions target for 2035 is met, and the state's emissions target for 2050 is on track to be met. These goals had previously been set by the Washington State Legislature, which passed a law in 2008 that required the state to reduce its emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 25% below 1990 levels by 2035, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. As of 2018, the state is not on track to achieve those goals.

Background
Environmental advocates in Washington had previously attempted to pass carbon pricing measures. Washington Initiative 732, a "tax swap" proposal to levy a tax on carbon emissions and simultaneously reduce the state's sales tax, had appeared on the ballot in the 2016 election, but failed to pass. Initiative 1631 differs in that it proposes to use revenue from carbon fees to invest in projects to reduce pollution. These include projects related to transportation, energy efficiency, carbon sequestrations in farms and forests, and clean energy. The initiative also proposes to invest over $250 million in climate adaptation in the areas of forestry and water conservation.

Support
The initiative was partly drafted by Front and Centered, an environmental advocacy group. It is also supported by Carbon Washington, the organization that had put Initiative 732 on the ballot. Other organizations that support the initiative include Stand.earth, The Nature Conservancy, and local chapters of 350.org and the Sierra Club. Elected officials who support this initiative include United States Representative Pramila Jayapal and Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

Opposition
The "No on 1631" campaign is sponsored by the Western States Petroleum Association. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers and Cascade Natural Gas have also given money to oppose this measure. Oil companies have collectively committed almost one million dollars to oppose Initiative 1631.