La Center resident Barry Wells says it’s time for a serious conversation about transparency, affordability, and fairness in our state’s energy policies
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
As a longtime Washington resident, I’m deeply concerned about the relentless rise in gas prices — driven not just by market forces, but by our own legislature’s decisions. Since 2016, Washington state has steadily increased its gas tax, and recent hikes have pushed us into the top tier of the most expensive states for fuel. As of July 2024, the gas tax rose to 55.4 cents per gallon, a 6-cent jump from the previous rate. And that’s just the beginning — annual inflation adjustments and future increases are already baked into the law.
But what’s truly frustrating is the added burden from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), enacted in 2023. This cap-and-trade program requires fuel suppliers to purchase carbon allowances at quarterly auctions to cover their emissions. These costs — now exceeding $64 per allowance—are passed directly to consumers at the pump. Yet unlike the state gas tax, this carbon cost isn’t itemized. It’s embedded in the price, making it a hidden tax. Analysts estimate it adds roughly 46 to 51 cents per gallon for gasoline and even more for diesel.
Drivers see the pain at the pump — over $4.38 per gallon, more than a dollar above the national average — but they’re not told why. There’s no transparency, no breakdown, just higher prices. And while the state touts this as a climate solution, there’s little evidence yet that it’s reducing emissions. Meanwhile, nearly $3.5 billion has been collected under the program, with no updated carbon inventories released since 2021.
I support responsible environmental stewardship, but not when it’s used as a blank check to tax working families. These policies disproportionately hurt rural communities, low-income drivers, and small businesses. Legislators must be held accountable for the financial strain they’ve placed on everyday Washingtonians under the guise of climate action.
It’s time for a serious conversation about transparency, affordability, and fairness in our state’s energy policies.
Barry Wells
Fargher Lake
Also read:
- Camas, Union senior stars ready for playoff push in their final high school basketball seasons
Ethan Harris and Brooklynn Haywood lead Camas and Union into the Class 4A bi-district playoffs with state tournament berths on the line. - Letter: ‘Are we being punked?’
Anna Miller questions the Clark County Council’s authority to pass a resolution on ICE and urges members to focus on core county responsibilities. - U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District over its handling of a sexual assault allegation involving wrestler Kallie Keeler. - Letter: ‘People who have entered illegally must face the consequences of their actions’
Vancouver resident Debra Kalz argues the County Council should not pass immigration-related resolutions and says laws must be followed or changed through proper channels. - The Enspire Extravaganza: Advancing art and community engagement for a brighter future
Enspire Arts brings more than 150 local artists to the Joyce Garver Theater in Camas on Feb. 28, featuring student ambassadors and a world premiere by composer Nicole Buetti. - Opinion: IBR’s systematic disinformation campaign, its demise
Neighbors for a Better Crossing challenges IBR’s seismic claims and promotes a reuse-and-tunnel alternative they say would save billions at the I-5 crossing. - Letter: ‘Our forefathers warned us to assemble when government rules over We The People’
La Center resident Kimberlee Goheen Elbon criticizes the County Council’s handling of immigration-related meetings and urges residents to assemble and speak out.
wpDiscuz
