While proposals in Colorado and Michigan to end renewable energy incentives did not qualify for the ballot, voters in Washington State will have the opportunity to vote on measures challenging climate change laws. Washingtonians will be asked to repeal two climate change/clean energy bills that were passed by the state’s Democrat-dominated legislature and endorsed by Governor Jay Inslee. The proposed Colorado initiative, which aimed to prohibit restrictions on energy sources, was withdrawn, while a similar initiative in Michigan to repeal renewable energy permitting laws will not be on the November ballot. However, supporters are regrouping for a 2026 campaign. In Washington, organizations backed by conservative donors have spent over $10.6 million on initiatives challenging existing laws, including one targeting the state’s Clean Energy and Jobs Act. The initiatives will be on the ballot for Washington voters to decide on November 5.
I-2066 would eliminate that requirement.
“The working people of the state are fed up with promises of decarbonization while having to deal with the consequences of bureaucratic fees that raise the cost of living, utilities, and grocery bills. We must put an end to these detrimental policies,” he stated before the bill was passed.
Despite being led by a progressive state legislature dedicated to promoting a shift towards green energy, Washington’s voters have shown less enthusiasm.
In 2016, almost 60 percent of Washington voters opposed Carbon Washington’s I-732, a proposal to tax carbon emissions at $15 per metric ton in a “revenue neutral” plan that also included reducing state sales tax, increasing family tax credit, and lowering business tax rates.
In 2018, voters rejected a similar proposal, I-1631, by a 57-43 percent margin. This proposal aimed to implement a carbon emissions fee starting at $15 per metric ton in 2020, with incremental increases until state greenhouse gas reduction targets were met.
