Initiatives to Look Out for This November: I-2117 and I-2066

By Robin Proebsting, Kirk Rappe, and Jason Steinberg

Amidst all of the political advertisements for candidates for elected office and various state voter initiatives, you might have seen mention of I-2117 and I-2066. The topics of these two initiatives fall under several of the Chapter’s Legislative Priorities that include addressing climate change and improving climate resiliency. Your Legislative Committee has dug into these initiatives and is here to explain what they would do and why they are of interest to planners.

I-2117 is an initiative that would prohibit carbon emission trading systems, commonly called cap-and-trade, and it specifically repeals the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA instituted a cap-and-trade system in Washington called “cap-and-invest”, under which the state sets a cap on greenhouse gas emissions and creates tradeable allowances for auction to the state’s largest emitters. The emissions cap and number of allowances are progressively lowered over time. Emitters can choose to either pay other emitters for the increasingly rare allowances or reduce their emissions.  The auctions generate revenue that is allocated by the state towards a multitude of climate-related projects, including those for overburdened communities and Tribes.

So far, $2 billion in auction revenue has been raised for funding programs and projects that support good planning and climate resiliency. Projects include those to fund paratransit, multimodal transportation improvements, and bus electrification projects, as well as building energy efficiency, decarbonization planning, and ecosystem restoration. These and many other projects directly align with the chapter’s priority to act on climate change and sustainability, build climate resiliency, and fund transit operations in all communities, with a focus on underserved populations.

A portion of CCA funds is also required to be directed toward projects that aim to help overburdened communities and to projects supported by Tribes, supporting the chapter’s priority of applying an equity lens to infrastructure planning, funding, design, and maintenance.

Crucially, I-2117 would end a proven greenhouse gas emissions reduction policy, which is in direct opposition to the chapter’s legislative priorities. Because of this, APAWA has signed on in support of the No on I-2117 campaign.

I-2066 would halt the shift away from the use of natural gas on multiple fronts. It would require utilities to provide natural gas to everyone in their services area who requests and is “reasonably entitled” to it, even if alternative energy sources may be available. It also would limit the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission’s ability to approve rate plans that 1) require or incentivize a utility to terminate natural gas service to customers, or 2) require customers to switch fuel use. Additionally, I-2066 emphasizes using natural gas as a backup heating source in required low-income electrification programs, while removing the requirement to provide electrification readiness funding to these programs. Lastly, if I-2066 passes, the Washington state energy code could no longer prohibit, penalize, or even discourage the use of gas.

These measures would reverse essential actions that are beginning to address climate change mitigation. In doing so, Washington would be taking a step back in the fight against climate change and perpetuating the use of fossil fuels, which is in direct opposition to the chapter’s legislative priority of promoting future infrastructure funding, design, and maintenance that address climate change causes and impacts.

APA WA members have voiced their concerns about climate change and identified it in past member surveys as a top priority for the chapter. Please remember these two initiatives when you cast your vote this November 5th.