The Mountaineers
As we experience worsening impacts of the climate crisis on our lands, waters, and communities, we must do more to respond to this urgent threat. The future of our organization and the planet depend on bold climate action and climate-resilient public lands and waters. Climate action and the reduction of The Mountaineers carbon footprint are prioritized in our current strategic plan and our organizational net zero vision.
Years of climate advocacy resulted in the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a groundbreaking effort to reduce statewide carbon emissions in Washington. Unfortunately, this recent progress will be significantly rolled back if ballot initiative 2117 (I-2117) passes this fall.
The Mountaineers opposes I-2117 because Washington must continue to do our part to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the climate crisis. We have joined the No on I-2117 coalition and are engaging in grassroots advocacy to defeat the initiative. Read on for more on how this strategic choice aligns with our organizational and conservation program priorities and why we’re calling on Mountaineers to vote no on I-2117 in November.
What is the Climate Commitment Act?
In 2021, the Climate Commitment Act created a market-based cap and invest program to help reach the target goal of reducing 95% of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The program requires Washington’s largest carbon emitters to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The CCA is being implemented across the state in support of Washington’s climate action efforts to protect community health and safety, reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution and energy costs, and expand clean transportation options.
Through the CCA’s cap and invest program, greenhouse gas emissions are capped and reduced, requiring the state’s largest emitters of carbon to purchase allowances. The state reinvests payments from these large carbon emitters back into communities. CCA funding helps more Washingtonians switch to climate-friendly energy options for their homes, schools, businesses, vehicles, and more, and a percentage of CCA funds go toward tribal-led or focused projects. The program has already generated more than $2 billion for projects across the state and is poised for an even greater impact. For example, grant funding that helped achieve net zero carbon emissions for The Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center was funded by the Climate Commitment Act.
Washington Ballot Initiative 2117
In May 2023, Washington State Representative Jim Walsh (R-19) filed ballot initiative 2117 to the legislature to significantly repeal the Climate Commitment Act and stall current efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Last November, initiative proponent Let’s Go Washington submitted the required signatures for the initiative to the Secretary of State’s office. Here is the official language you’ll see on the ballot in upcoming November 5 general election:
A “yes” vote supports prohibiting any state agencies from implementing a cap and trade or cap and tax program and repealing the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a state law that provided for a cap and invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 20250.
A “no” vote opposes prohibiting state agencies from implementing a cap and trade or cap and tax program and opposes repealing the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a state law that provided for a cap and invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 2050.
If approved by voters in November, initiative 2117 would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including “cap and trade” or “cap and tax” programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. The initiative would not only repeal the CCA but would prohibit Washington state from enacting any similar programs moving forward. This would be a significant step backward on Washington's path toward a sustainable clean energy future.
The Mountaineers Opposition of I-2117
Why We Oppose I-2117
The outcome of I-2117 will shape the future of meaningful emissions reduction efforts in our state. Opposing the initiative and supporting the No on I-2117 campaign represents an opportunity to live out our organizational values and engage in climate advocacy on an issue that will significantly impact Washington’s communities, lands, and waters.
Climate action is a key component of The Mountaineers advocacy agenda. One of the ways we’re working to advance state and federal climate policy is by monitoring the implementation of funding for natural climate solutions and other bold climate investments included in the CCA. We’ve also supported similar efforts at the federal level, like the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Mountaineers has engaged in ballot initiative advocacy before: in 2018, The Mountaineers endorsed Initiative 1631, a Washington state ballot measure that would have imposed a fee on some of the biggest emitters of carbon pollution. After discussing I-2117 with the Conservation & Advocacy Committee this spring, the Committee unanimously approved our position and engagement on the initiative - a course of action also affirmed by The Mountaineers Executive Committee.
The CCA Funds Conservation
Revenue generated by the CAA helps fund state land managers conserve and protect public public lands and leverage nature-based climate solutions to enhance the climate resiliency of our landscapes. For example, investments in Washington’s Trust Land Transfer and Community Forests programs leverage CCA dollars to conserve popular recreation areas like Tiger Mountain and the Mountain Loop Highway. The availability of future CCA revenue is subject to the outcome of I-2117.
As we continue our tribal engagement work through The Mountaineers and Outdoor Alliance Washington, it’s increasingly important to act on our commitment to support tribal conservation and climate priorities, including tribal-supported projects that leverage CCA funding for fish passage and other tribal priorities.
No on I-2117 Campaign
The Mountaineers has joined the No on I-2117 campaign - a diverse and growing statewide coalition of more than 250 organizations from across the state that have come together to defend the CCA and oppose the initiative. The coalition includes Tribal Nations, climate and environmental organizations, small businesses and large companies alike, labor unions, and community organizations all working to protect clean air and water, forests and farmland, and investments in jobs and transportation. Several of our conservation partners have signed on to the campaign as well, including Conservation Northwest, Washington Wild, Sierra Club Washington State Chapter, and The Nature Conservancy.
Take Action
The passage of ballot initiative 2117 in November would lead to increased pollution and significantly hinder efforts to fight the climate crisis in every county across the state. The outdoor recreation community has an important role to play in public lands conservation and climate action. We’re asking you to stand in support the Climate Commitment Act by voting “no” I-2117. We encourage you to educate yourself further and consider pledging to vote “no” through the campaign. You can raise your voice in support of Washington’s efforts to respond to climate change by:
- Signing the pledge to vote “no”
- Voting “no” on the initiative when completing your general election ballot this fall
- Sharing this blog with friends and family members who love Washington’s public lands and waters
- Signing up to volunteer with the No on I-2117 campaign (Upcoming volunteer opportunities can be found here.)
We’ll continue to share more about this effort closer to the election as advocacy against I-2117 progresses. In the meantime, share your thoughts on this issue using the comment section of this blog or by emailing conservation@mountaineers.org. Thank you for adventuring with purpose with us for a more sustainable future for Washington state.
For more on The Mountaineers strategic decision to oppose I-2117, read this memo to our Conservation & Advocacy Committee.
