Lewis County and Washington state voted down Initiative 1631 Tuesday, a measure that would have imposed a fee on carbon emissions.
The initiative, designed to combat climate change, would have placed a $15 fee on each metric ton of carbon emitted, with an additional $2 added each year until emission goals are met.
Lewis County voted no on 1631 by a 80 to 20 margin, while it failed more narrowly at the state level, 56 to 44 percent. The measure was opposed locally by the Lewis County Farm Bureau and Public Utilities District.
The PUD said the measure was likely to increase rates on customers, while the Farm Bureau said it unfairly punished rural citizens, who must burn more gas to travel and don’t have public transportation options. The measure was estimated to raise gas prices by about 14 cents a gallon.
