Barkis responds to the passage of the low carbon fuel standard
CONTACT: Jennifer Hansen, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7720
Barkis responds to the passage of the low carbon fuel standard
As the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, provides the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1110
“One agreement under the dome in Olympia is this: the state has a responsibility to protect the environment and future generations. The disagreement comes with the solution on the best ways to achieve this goal. Republicans are committed to economically sustainable environmental policies that do not place extra costs and financial burdens on the taxpayers of Washington state.
“Voters have repeatedly voted against any form of a carbon tax as an efficient solution to reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The taxpayers in this state know there are better solutions in creating a clean energy future without increasing taxes and higher energy costs.
“House Bill 1110 goes directly against everything the voters – the taxpayers – have said no to for the past several years. This policy is a hidden gas tax meant to pay bureaucratic-controlled environmental schemes that are often produced outside Washington state. This policy mirrors California's current low carbon fuel standard. Their gas prices have risen by 16-cents a gallon due to their program – and are projected to continue rising. Imagine what a policy like this will do to Washington state!
“My colleagues offered several amendments to make this particular policy better, to help protect the taxpayers of this state, and to allow this measure to be brought back to you – the voter – to voice your opinion on this major financial change to your way of life.
“Unfortunately, the majority party feels it is more important to continue to tax the people of this state through increased fuel costs, increased costs in the transportation of goods and services and ultimately the increased price of food.
“There is no doubt that this low carbon fuel standard is a regressive tax that will put more financial burdens on those who can least afford it. And all for what? A 10 percent reduction in carbon?
“I'm concerned because this is not the right way to go about this. We must continue to work toward sound environmental policy that doesn't hurt the state's most vulnerable. We must do better for the people of Washington state.”
