Washington State to “Cap and Trade” Pollution?

The state of Washington has introduced House Bill 1819. The Bill intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a cap and trade program. However, the original Bill has had some of the gas let out of it. The cap on pollution is still in the Bill, but the trade part of the Bill has been put on hold.

“That bill getting out of committee means the Legislature is serious about passing something this year,” said Clifford Traisman, of the lobbyist group the Washington Environmental Council. “It still includes key language setting deadlines for cutting emissions and clarifying the state’s ability to enforce the emission goals. It’s a significant step forward,”

“This bill isn’t good for Washington,” said Rep. Matt Shea, R-Mead. “This bill is good for China and countries like that, developing third world countries that aren’t controlling their pollution and aren’t doing anything.”