Put a price on it! Inslee proposes tax on polluters

December 16, 2016

If you’re reading Climate Solutions' blog, I don’t have to convince you that it is absolutely imperative that we take ambitious and immediate action to cut carbon pollution and accelerate solutions to stop climate change. The good news is that Governor Inslee is a rare political leader who is there too.

As we look over at the other Washington, we know it’s going to be here that we lead.

In the budget he released this week, Governor Inslee included a $25/ton carbon tax on dangerous fossil fuel pollution from energy used in Washington State. His budget dedicates nearly half of that money to investments in clean energy, water security and forest health, as well as measures intended to help low-income communities across the state. If passed, the carbon tax will raise nearly $2 billion every year and help forge a path to a clean energy future.

Also noteworthy: The Governor’s budget dedicates the entirety of the state’s share of Volkswagen settlement funds ($103 million) to redress the company's attempt to fraudulently cheat vehicle emissions tests, and to invest in transportation electrification, instead of less transformative projects that continue reliance on fossil fuels. It also proposed $60 million into a Clean Energy Fund, which will promote research and development and transportation electrification projects.

As we look over at the other Washington, we know it’s going to be here that we lead. Our legislature has repeatedly failed to act despite the fact that our state has faced wildfires and drought in recent years, challenging our agriculture, shellfish and fishing sectors. But our Governor, along with many stakeholders—business leaders, the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, faith communities—are moving forward. There is a lot of work to do and we continue to analyze the Governor's proposal to make sure it protects workers, communities of color, and the state’s long-term fiscal health, but Governor Inslee just started a necessary conversation. That’s a needed breath of fresh air.

So breathe deep and let’s go.

Author Bio

Vlad Gutman-Britten

former Washington Director, Climate Solutions

Vlad was Washington State Director until 12/1/21. He brought varied and deep experience in policy, advocacy, and campaign politics to his work at Climate Solutions.

Before coming to Climate Solutions, Vlad was Senior Policy Director for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, where he successfully secured tens of millions of dollars in state investment in habitat and recreation lands. He was previously a key part of issue advocacy and communications efforts for large companies, including Microsoft and GE, and before that served as AIPAC's Deputy Midwest Political Director. A veteran campaign operative, he has run congressional and state legislative campaigns and worked on races ranging from mayoral to presidential.

Vlad is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he received a degree in political science. In his free time, Vlad bikes, listens to everything from opera to folk music, and smokes whatever fish or meat fits into his smoker. He is soon off to New York City to start a new adventure as the Assistant Director for Policy and Markets at NYSERDA, New York State's energy agency.