A closely watched Washington state ballot measure that would kill the state’s carbon market also would kill funding for programs to address climate change, initiative opponents are telling voters as Election Day nears.
Supporters of the measure, known as Initiative 2117, are saying it would reduce gasoline and electricity costs by eliminating a costly mandate on businesses.
The ballot question has gained national attention as states consider starting their own markets aimed at addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Washington and California are the only states with carbon markets that regulate all major emitters.
The effort to defeat the measure and preserve Washington’s carbon market has received millions of dollars including from Microsoft founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer.
