Cap-and-trade emissions bill dies in the House

OLYMPIA — House bill 1819 which proposes a cap-and-tax program on carbon emitted from businesses died in the state House of Representatives.

The bill proposes limiting the amount of emissions produced by businesses. If businesses exceed their allotted amount, they would be fined.

“We’re halfway there,” Rep. Shelley Short, R-Addy, stated. “But Senate bill 5735 is still alive. We need to keep the pressure on to kill the Senate bill as well.”

She stated protecting the environment from pollutants is important but it’s also important to ensure jobs are not sacrificed.

“Washington emits only three-tenths of one percent of global greenhouse gasses,” Short stated. “We don’t want cap-and-trade, we don’t need cap-and-trade and we certainly can’t afford cap-and-trade.”

Thirteenth District Senator Janéa Holmquist stated she opposes the senate version of the bill

House reps Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum also opposed the bill.

— Staff report