House Dem push ahead on low-carbon fuel bill like CA that will raise gas tax by at least .50 gal

READ AND TAKE ACTION.

January 31, 2020 – Majority House Democrats  voted HB 1110  – a bill to impose low-carbon fuel limits on gasoline and other transportation related fuels – off the floor yesterday in a party line vote. Every Republican voted against the bill.

This bill creates a low carbon fuel standard like CA that will increase prices – some estimates over $.50 per gallon. That money doesn’t go toward road improvement either. It will go to the Senate next. Rep. Mike Chapman (D) (Rep. Mike Chapman (D) also sponsored another bill – HB-2913 – that will raise gas tax another $.10 per gallon.)  and Rep. Steve Tharinger (D) voted for the bill, who was also a prime sponsor of the bill. (See Roll Call Votes here)

Under the bill, carbon emissions of transportation fuels would have to be reduced to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035. The mandatory program would begin January 1, 2021. The Bill directs the Department of Ecology (ECY) to adopt a rule establishing a Clean Fuels Program (CFP) to limit the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of transportation fuel energy to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035.  The bill is 27 pages long.

House leaders sent the bill straight to a floor vote without a public hearing, and no amendments by lawmakers will be allowed. The same bill passed last year in the House along strict party lines, but the Senate did not act on it before the session ended.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee on January 31, 2020

According to Washington Votes.org:

“Opponents argue that the bill would harm Washington residents by sharply raising gas prices, which are already among the highest in the nation. They say the measure would raise the cost of living across the board, including higher food prices. Governor Inslee has said repeatedly that the bill has a better chance of going forward this year, because the “dynamics are different,” even though the make-up of the Senate is the same as it was last year.

“By the governor’s request, Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle) on Tuesday introduced SB 6628, to revise the definitions of emission standards to include direct or indirect release of air contaminants. Barely 24 hours after its introduction, the bill was scheduled for a public hearing at 8:00 a.m. today by the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.

“In 2016 Gov. Inslee issued an executive rule to impose new emission limits to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from in-state stationary sources, producers and importers of petroleum products, and distributors of natural gas. The so-called Clean Air Rule (CAR) required entities emitting more than 100,000 metric tons a year to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“A state Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago, however, struck down the rule, saying that the Department of Ecology does not have the legal authority to limit emissions without authorization from the legislature. SB 6628, if passed, would grant such authority to the department.

While House and Senate committees have been busy with hearings and executive sessions, floor votes have been mostly confined to bills that passed one chamber last year but did not move in the opposite house.

“As the first legislative deadline looms in nine days, lawmakers continue to introduce new bills at a fast pace. So far, some 1,400 new measures have been added to the more than 2,000 bills that are still alive from last year’s session. Lawmakers have until Friday, February 7th to pass bills out of committee in the originating chamber. This year’s session is scheduled to adjourn about a month after that, on March 12th.”

Forty-three days remain in this session.  Follow bills as they are breaking at WashingtonVotes.org.

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Contact the following to urge a “no” vote – Members of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee