The effort to repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) failed at the ballot box Nov. 5, leaving many voters jubilant that the state’s “cap and invest” carbon emissions program remains intact.

“Washingtonians said loud and clear that they value clean air and clean water — and they don’t want to go backwards,” said Governor Jay Inslee.

Listed on the ballot as I-2117, the measure, if it had been approved, would have repealed the Climate Commitment Act, which requires the state’s major polluters to pay into a fund to compensate for carbon emissions. Statewide, 62.2% of voters rejected the measure. In Jefferson County, 75.4% of voters rejected it. 

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is one of many statewide policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. Since 2023, revenue from the program has exceeded $2 billion.

“The Climate Commitment Act is most directly and immediately important to the City of Port Townsend because it provides funding for the City’s transportation projects,” Mayor David Faber wrote in an email. “The Climate Commitment Act is also extremely important to the City of Port Townsend because our downtown is threatened by rising sea levels due to climate change. We need to get our greenhouse gas emissions under control as a society or the environmental damage will be incalculable, and it will destroy much of what makes Port Townsend special. Gutting the Climate Commitment Act would have been a disaster for Port Townsend.”

According to data gathered by the Clean & Prosperous Institute, the vote against Initiative 2117 means many Jefferson County projects remain protected and could benefit from $6.7 million in authorized, near term funding, and $27 million in long-term, total funding. Clean & Prosperous Institute works with government agencies and the private sector to address climate change. In the run-up to the election, they launched and interactive map to show climate act projects funded across the state.

“The current project to improve pedestrian and bike access to Uptown is tied to the CCA,” said Steve King, the city’s public works director. “Future projects like this are important in supporting the non-motorized goals of the community.”

King added that funding levels for the “Complete Streets” program are also “largely connected” to the CCA.  

In greater Jefferson County, CCA funding should fuel fish barrier removal projects, wildfire reforestation grants, “Safe Routes to School” grants, school district indoor air quality and energy efficiency grants, solar projects, community electric vehicle charging stations, carbon sequestration forests, riparian restoration, farm and agriculture support, home weatherization grants and programs, home electrification and appliance rebates, pedestrian and bicycle safety grants, clean building performance grants, food waste reduction grants and others.

Supporters of Initiative I-2117 blamed the Climate Commitment Act for high gas prices and said the carbon-offset dollars aren’t being spent wisely. Opponents of I-2117 said that repealing the climate act would damage the economy, increase the risk of forest fires and would cut critical funding for environmental and transportation programs, including electrification of the state ferries.