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 […]
News Stories
Washington gas prices top U.S. as carbon fee takes hold
Washington has moved past California to have the most expensive gasoline in the U.S., a surge coinciding with Washington’s cap-and-trade carbon fee almost doubling California’s. … Cap-and-trade has added another element to gas prices. Oil companies must buy one “allowance” for every ton of carbon released when their products are combusted. Unlike a tax, carbon […]
Tensions, gas prices rise as Washington state auctions carbon
Washington state’s new cap-and-invest system is raising hundreds of millions of dollars for climate action while pricing emissions at a much steeper cost than California, the only other state with this kind of system. Climate hawks are thrilled that — after years of failed proposals — the Evergreen State has a path to meet the […]
Washington’s carbon fee rises, trips emergency valve to hold down costs
Washington’s carbon fee rose by 15% at the state’s second cap-and-trade auction, the Department of Ecology reported Wednesday, and is high enough to turn on an emergency valve to contain energy costs. Energy companies and investors bought nearly 8.6 million allowances for $56 apiece at the May 31 auction. The price exceeded the $51.90 threshold […]
Washington’s carbon fee rises, trips emergency valve to hold down costs
Washington’s carbon fee rose by 15% at the state’s second cap-and-trade auction, the Department of Ecology reported Wednesday, and is high enough to turn on an emergency valve to contain energy costs. Energy companies and investors bought nearly 8.6 million allowances for $56 apiece at the May 31 auction. The price exceeded the $51.90 threshold […]
Tribes ramp up pressure on WA over gas prices as climate laws’ effects take hold
LUMMI RESERVATION — Leaders from at least a dozen Washington tribes may soon meet with Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration to raise concerns and ask questions about the effects of the state’s new carbon-cap system on gas prices and tribal sovereignty. Some say they’re taken aback by how much the system seems to be driving up […]
Washington farmers fume over fuel surcharge
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Washington farmers are frustrated over a fuel surcharge they say they shouldn’t be paying. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Climate Commitment Act, which is designed to drastically cut greenhouse emissions through a carbon capturing plan. One key reason the Climate Commitment Act was made into law was that it exempts farms […]
Ecology Dept. confirms Washington’s first emissions auction raised just under $300M
(The Center Square) – Washington state’s inaugural auction of emissions allowances under the cap-and-trade program established by the Climate Commitment Act brought in just under $300 million, according to a Monday report from the state Department of Ecology. … Per the Climate Commitment Act passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. […]
Bid fails to refund cap-and-trade surcharges to Washington farmers
OLYMPIA — The Senate budget committee Monday rejected a Republican proposal to set aside $32 million to reimburse farmers paying cap-and-trade surcharges on fuel used to transport agricultural products. Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said the Inslee administration has failed to keep cap-and-trade from raising farming costs, as was promised in the Climate Commitment Act passed […]
State eyes $300M haul from first-ever carbon emission auction
OLYMPIA — The state’s first-ever auction of pollution allowances generated roughly $300 million for programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the effects of climate change in Washington. … The 2021 Climate Commitment Act created a cap-and-trade program aimed at getting the state’s largest polluters to reduce emissions. Under the program, the state places […]