SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday proposed an ambitious cap-and-trade program to require the state's largest industrial polluters to pay for every ton of carbon they release.
The proposal was part of a broader package that the Democrat said would help the state meet a 2008 mandate to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. It sets an overall limit on heat-trapping gases similar to a program that California launched nearly three years ago.
"It is primarily and foremost an issue of health for our children and our grandchildren," said Inslee, who was flanked by Democratic lawmakers and other supporters at a news conference at REI's flagship store in Seattle. "It's not only a good idea, it's the law," he added.
Supporters hailed the plan as historic and bold, saying it will protect human health and the environment. Meanwhile, critics questioned whether the cap-and-trade program would raise gas and energy prices and harm families and businesses.
The proposal must be approved by the Legislature and is certain to face resistance. Republicans, who will have outright control of the Senate next year, have voiced opposition.
Inslee, who has made tackling climate change a key issue since taking office two years ago, said the plan would raise nearly $1 billion in its first year, which would begin in July 2016.
Money raised by selling allowances to pollute would pay for transportation projects, education-funding requirements imposed by the state Supreme Court, and assist low-income families and industries that are most affected by higher energy costs.
Inslee said legislators in both parties will have to face stark realities as they confront a projected budget gap of more than $2 billion during the next two-year period. "They may conclude it's better to tax pollution than voters, that it's better to tax polluters than drivers," he said.
