East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

OLYMPIA–Rep. Mary Dye, R-9, Pomeroy, ranking Republican on the House Environment and Energy Committee, released this statement following the committee passage of House Bill 1091 by House Democrats last Thursday. The measure would enact a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), and authorize the state Department of Ecology to create a clean fuels program, which could eventually increase the cost of gasoline by 57 cents per gallon and diesel by 63 cents per gallon.

"It is incredibly disappointing and unconscionable that at a time when Washington families are struggling to pay the rent or their mortgages and put food on the table, Democrats are introducing and quickly passing bills that would significantly drive up the cost of living in our state.

"This low-carbon fuel standard will increase fuel costs for everyone living and working in our state, not from a direct tax, but through the added costs to fuel producers who must comply with the law or buy carbon credits. Low carbon fuels, made from crops or animal fats, are simply more expensive than petroleum to produce. Out-of-state producers and brokers stand to make millions at the expense of Washington citizens, including individuals and families, and employers and small businesses.

"Washington farmers compete for their place in global markets, and are facing disadvantages and have unfair competition against lower-cost overseas producers every time we pass policies that increase the cost of their fuel. While farmers in other countries get a pass on carbon dioxide emissions, we expect our state's producers to pay for their lack of regulations.

"Washington is one of the few states in the nation having a positive trade balance. Agriculture, shipping and aircraft manufacturing would suffer if this bill passes, and it would significantly erode our advantage as an exporting giant. The new state bureaucracy set up by this legislation would be expensive and unaccountable. It would not generate any new revenue for transportation infrastructure projects.

"And what do we get for these increased costs? Nearly nothing! It would do very little to improve our environment and air quality.

"We need to be lowering costs for struggling Washington families, such as legislation like House Bill 1130, the CARES Act (Consumer Affordability and Reliable Energy Supply) I have introduced, which sets a state goal to reduce the costs of electricity by 50 percent for all customers by 2030.

"Let's quit focusing exclusively on carbon molecules and failed policies of the past the governor proposes year after year, and begin working together for real solutions that don't hurt our families and put more people out of work."

–John Sattgast, Senior Public Information Officer for Washington State Rep. Mary Dye, R-9.