The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) has released a draft rule proposing the creation of a new "Clean Fuel Standard" rule on transportation fuels supplied or sold in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The rule is intended to reduce regional carbon emissions by 25 percent below 2016 levels and 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 through a system of "deficit and credit trading." Adoption of the rule would mean a gas tax of $0.22 - $0.57 per gallon.
CLICK HERE for the Final Report from PSCAA that includes relevant research and statistics regarding the rule's implementation and potential impact.
Potential Impacts:
- Up to $0.57 per gallon gas tax for cars and trucks in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.
- Traditional gas taxes have been used to fund road and transportation infrastructure (the $0.12 per gallon gas tax in 2015 paid for the $16 billion "Connecting Washington" package.) The PSCAA proposed tax is 2-4 times higher than the 2015 gas tax and doesn't provie any transportation infrastructure funding. Rather, it will be used for incentives for electric car purchasing and charging.
- Assumes that drivers will switch to electric vehicles, but there is no viable, electric option for long-haul freight, heavy trucking and agricultural equipment.
- It may put companies in our region at a competitive disadvantage with businesses in neighboring counties not paying higher fuel costs.
- Works on the premise that people will opt to use public transit.
- The rule may disproportionately affect households with lower incomes and those who drive further to work and services. This concern has not been properly addressed.
Here is how you can make your voice heard in the rulemaking process!
Attend the public hearing on December 19th at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle (12:30-4:30 pm and 5-8 pm). You can also provide comments and feedback about the proposed rule via email to [email protected]. All comments are due by January 6, 2020.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the draft rule and find a timeline for the rulemaking process.
