House Democrats recently passed controversial legislation that would raisefuel prices upwards of 60 cents per gallon! The low-carbon fuel standard mandate House Bill 1110 passed on a 52-44 vote after a lengthy floor fight.
The passage of a low-carbon fuel mandate and increase in fuel prices on working families and small businesses is further evidence of how out of touch Olympia and Seattle politicians are with the rest of the state. The potential of a 60 cent per gallon increase is devastating to working families and disproportionately penalizes rural Washingtonians.
Peter Abbarno, Centralia Mayor Pro Tem
House Bill 1110 authorizes the state Department of Ecology to create a clean fuels program and additional rules and regulations to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels per unit. This comes on the heels of another transportation scheme to increase the cost to working families and small businesses called the “Road Usage Charge!”
According to the Puget Sound Regional Transportation Fuels Analysis Final Report from September 2019, the new program could:
- raise the cost of gas by up to 57 cents per gallon by 2030;
- raise the cost of diesel by up to 63 cents per gallon by 2030;
- result in job losses; and
- reduce Gross Regional Product.
The legislation and fight moves to the State Senate. Interested parties opposing the increase are encouraged to contact their State Senators at http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/Pages/default.aspx to oppose SB 5412
There are many unintended consequences to punishing tax increases on working families and small businesses; including the cost of groceries, goods, and services. This is misguided policy and will do nothing to lift families out of poverty, create jobs, encourage business growth, or make a significant impact in the quality of life for Washingtonians.
Peter Abbarno, Centralia Mayor Pro Tem