Passed Resolution Regarding Pricing of Carbon Emissions

The following resolution was passed by the members of the 37th Legislative District during the February 2018 Monthly Membership Meeting on February 12th. It will be forwarded to Senate and House Representatives in the Washington State Legislature.

Resolution regarding Pricing Carbon Emissions for the 2018 Washington State Legislature

Whereas, in 2008 the State of Washington adopted goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by 2020, 2035 and 2050; and

Whereas, these goals have been codified in the Revised Code of Washington at Title 70, Section 235; and

Whereas we are not currently on track to meet the codified standards; and

Whereas, the nations of the world agreed in 2016 in Paris that our goal must be to limit the global average temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspiration to limit it to 1.5 degree Celsius; and

Whereas, the best available science tells us that to responsibly respond to the Paris challenge, the goal for Washington should be lower emissions than were codified in 2008; and

Whereas, we are running out of time to act before the cost of adapting to climate change imposes catastrophic costs on the budgets of Washington state agencies and its cities and counties; and

Whereas, the authority of the Department of Ecology to regulate carbon emissions via the Clean Air Rule (WAC 173-442) has recently been overturned by Washington courts, requiring a legislative fix; and

Whereas, Governor Inslee and our representatives have said they are preparing legislation for the 2018 Legislature that would put a price on carbon but the details of proposal(s) are not yet available; and

Whereas, It is possible to “put a price on carbon” either by directly taxing the quantity of carbon emissions from motor vehicles, direct heating, power plants and industry, with the tax increasing in future years, or by limiting and gradually reducing the allowed emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases from each source and requiring those who cannot reduce their emissions to purchase “credits” that will increase in price in future years; and

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved That, the 37th District Democratic Organization urges the Governor to introduce and the Washington State Legislature to pass legislation in the 2018 legislative session that puts a price on carbon; and

Be It Further Resolved That, the 37th District Democratic Organization urges the Washington State Legislature when enacting the legislation to carefully consider the goals of the Paris climate accords and the best available science and to set a price on carbon that will move Washington aggressively toward the Paris goals; and

Be It Further Resolved That, the 37th District urges the Washington State legislature when enacting the legislation to carefully consider the people who will be adversely affected by this change in the economy as well as the potential future growth of the state through the investment of proceeds from the legislation;

And, Be It Further Resolved That, the 37th District Executive Board is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Governor and each member of the 37th District legislative delegation; and

The 37th District Executive Board is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the King County Democratic Central Committee Legislative Action Committee and to urge them to endorse the adoption of carbon pricing legislation in the 2018 session of the legislature; and

The 37th District Executive Board is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Chair of the House Environment Committee, Rep Joe Fitzgibbon and the Chair of the Senate Energy Environment and Telecommunications committee Senator Reuven Carlyle and encourage them to adopt carbon pricing legislation in 2018.

Submitted by Arvia Morris and Mike Ruby of the 43rd District Democrats.

Submitted by John Stafford of the 37^th District Democrats.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS “DO-PASS” ON THIS RESOLUTION 1-29-18