Washington Governor Jay Inslee welcomed California Governor Gavin Newsom to Seattle over the weekend as part of a campaign to defeat Initiative 2117, a ballot measure that threatens to dismantle the state’s landmark climate legislation. The two governors participated in a rally and canvassing event in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, organized by Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, to encourage voters to oppose the initiative.
Initiative 2117 aims to abolish Washington’s cap-and-invest carbon market program, which was established by the Climate Commitment Act. This program requires major polluters to purchase permits for greenhouse gas emissions and has generated billions of dollars for various climate initiatives. These include projects benefiting communities and tribes most affected by climate change, state transportation infrastructure improvements, and support for job creation and companies working on decarbonization technologies.
Proponents of I-2117 argue that the program acts as a hidden gas tax and contributes to Washington’s above-average fuel prices. However, the initiative’s opponents, including a coalition of over 500 organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, bp America, and REI, along with 17 federally-recognized Tribal Nations, have raised nearly $14.2 million to fight the measure.
The Climate Commitment Act, which Inslee championed, is considered the state’s most significant climate legislation. With Inslee’s third term coming to an end in January and his decision not to seek re-election, the fate of his climate legacy hangs in the balance.
During the event, Inslee and Newsom reportedly engaged in friendly competition over their states’ electric vehicle adoption rates. While California leads the nation overall, Washington boasts the
second-highest per capita EV registrations.
The Let’s Go Washington campaign, which supports I-2117 and three other ballot initiatives, has raised more than $13.4 million, with nearly half coming from Seattle-area hedge fund manager Brian Heywood. The campaign’s spokesperson, Hallie Balch, stated that they have not invited out-of-state figures to campaign on their behalf, instead focusing on local volunteer efforts such as phone banking and door-to-door outreach.
Washington is currently exploring the possibility of linking its carbon market with the larger, more established market operated by California and Québec. Government representatives from the three jurisdictions recently expressed their belief that such a linkage would enhance their collective efforts to combat climate change and reduce air pollution while encouraging other governments to adopt similar market-based climate policies.
The outcome of the vote on I-2117 could have significant implications for Washington’s climate tech sector. Supporters of the Climate Commitment Act argue that repealing the law would severely impede the state’s progress in addressing climate change and developing innovative environmental technologies.
As the election approaches, both sides are intensifying their efforts to sway voters. The No on 2117 campaign continues to leverage high-profile support and substantial funding to make its case, while Let’s Go Washington relies on grassroots organizing and local volunteers to promote its message.
The involvement of Governor Newsom in the campaign against I-2117 underscores the regional and national significance of Washington’s climate policies. As states like Washington and California lead the charge in implementing aggressive climate action, the outcome of this ballot measure could influence similar efforts across the country.