This November, Washingtonians have a chance to save money and reject a policy that has not done what the governor promised for the environment. Initiative 2117, which aims to repeal the hidden gas tax implemented under Gov. Jay Inslee’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), represents a critical opportunity to save Washingtonians billions of dollars on energy. It’s time to put an end to this costly and ineffective program by voting “yes” on I-2117.
Gov. Inslee sold the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to the public as a necessary step toward reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment. He promised that the costs associated with the program would be minimal — “pennies,” he assured us. But the reality has been far different. Since the CCA took effect, Washington has experienced the highest gas prices in the nation, along with sharp increases in the cost of heating and cooling homes. Meanwhile, the environmental benefits Inslee touted have failed to materialize.
The CCA passed in 2021, established a cap-and-trade system designed to limit carbon emissions by requiring companies that sell fuel, such as gasoline and propane, to purchase carbon allowances. The goal was to reduce emissions while generating revenue to fund projects aimed at further reducing the state’s carbon footprint. The tax, however, creates a cap on how much energy producers can sell, not on how much they produce. This means that energy producers are still emitting the same amount of carbon, simply selling their energy to purchasers outside of the state.
One of Inslee’s key promises was that the CCA would lower gas prices. He repeated this claim as recently as 2022, assuring the public that the policy would have a minimal impact on prices at the pump. But just 90 days after the program began, Washington had the highest gas prices in the country, with prices increasing between 43 and 53 cents per gallon. These increases didn’t come as a surprise to everyone. In fact, as far back as 2014, Inslee’s own climate advisor warned that a cap-and-trade system like the CCA would raise gas prices by 44 cents per gallon. The governor’s own economist reiterated this concern in 2023, but Inslee chose to ignore the warnings, forcing the economist out instead.
The carbon tax has created higher gas and utility prices across Washington. These higher costs hit low and middle-income communities the hardest. And while we all face higher energy costs, the program isn’t working. Since the program’s implementation, energy bills across Washington have increased by a staggering 40%. Many residents may not even realize the extent of the increase because Puget Sound Energy has been legally required to hide the CCA’s costs from voters, omitting it as a line item on energy bills. However, more recently, Governor Inslee has begun handing out bribery checks to a select number of Washingtonians in order to get them to vote against I-2117.
The hidden gas tax is hitting working-class Washingtonians the hardest; it’s a regressive policy that disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income families. While wealthier residents can afford electric vehicles or invest in solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades, many hardworking families are stuck shouldering the burden of increased energy costs. The CCA forces those least able to pay into a position of financial hardship, while many of the subsidies and incentives funded by the program end up benefiting the wealthy.
Worse still, the money generated by the CCA isn’t even being effectively used to reduce carbon emissions. Instead, much of the revenue is funneled into bureaucratic planning, hiring new government staff, and funding projects that have nothing to do with directly addressing climate change. While the state’s environmental goals remain unmet, Washingtonians are paying the price for a system that has failed to deliver.
The lack of transparency is just as troubling. Inslee originally promised a website that would allow residents to track the CCA’s progress in meeting climate goals. However, once it became clear that the program was underperforming, the website was taken down. This decision underscores the failure of the program, which has fallen short in nearly every measurable way. For example, the state’s greenhouse gas emissions actually increased by nearly 7% in 2019, and emissions from transportation are up 5% from the state’s goal.
The CCA’s failure highlights the urgent need for a new approach. Washingtonians care deeply about the environment and want to take meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions. But the CCA is not the solution. Rather than continue pouring money into a broken system, we need policies that are both effective and fair—ones that don’t force low-income families to foot the bill for lofty, unattainable goals.
This November, voters have a chance to make their voices heard by repealing the hidden gas tax and inflated energy costs through I-2117. Voting yes on I-2117 is a vote for practical, transparent, and sustainable climate policies.
It’s time to stop funding a broken system at the expense of Washington’s workers and families. Vote yes on I-2117 to repeal the hidden gas tax, lower energy costs, and fix what’s broken. Let’s create a future where our energy policies serve all Washingtonians; vote yes, pay less with I-2117.
