Media finally asking questions about Jay Inslee’s fuel mandate – here are answers

Jay Inslee has talked about fuel mandates for years, ever since he was in Congress.  And over a year ago, he committed Washington State to joining with California and Oregon in forcing a fuel mandate – and higher energy costs – on their citizens. And now, finally, the media is starting to ask questions about what Inslee’s environmental zealotry will cost Washington taxpayers, a topic that SHIFT has been writing about since its launched last year.

Last Sunday, the Seattle Times carried an Associated Press story on what Jay Inslee’s expensive fuel mandate could mean for Washington’s consumers. The article lists six key questions concerning Inslee’s fuel mandate and the writer guesses at some answers. While we here at SHIFT can appreciate the effort placed in the answers, we believe some rather important information was missing. So, here are our no-nonsense answers to AP’s six questions.

1. What is a low-carbon fuel standard?

More accurately called a fuel mandate, a low-carbon fuel standard (or LCFS) is what government bureaucrats use to force crappy and inefficient gas into your car for no discernable environmental benefit, but one that allows politicians to reward campaign contributors with government subsidies.

2. Who is proposing this and why?

Jay Inslee has led the fuel mandate charge since he signed a pact with California, Oregon and British Columbia to enact a cap-and-trade plan without the approval of the Legislature last year. By every indication, Inslee is looking to bypass the legislative process in order to please his environmental campaign contributors (like Tom Steyer).

3. What are the arguments in favor of it?

Given that Washington State emits a minuscule amount of the world’s carbon emissions, none that are remotely based in logic. Inslee himself said a fuel mandate is necessary because he “believes what he believes.”

4. What are the arguments against it?

Washington State emits approximately 1/10 of 1% of the world’s carbon emissions. While raising the price of gas on working families and threatening jobs, a fuel mandate will have virtually no impact on reducing carbon emissions.

5. How much will it raise gasoline prices?

Inslee’s own consultant estimated that his fuel mandate could result in a $1.17 gas hike. Experts agree on the probability of a $1 plus increase. Washington State’s own budget writers predicted that reaching Inslee’s defined carbon-reduction goal would add an additional $1.47 to the cost of gas. Unfortunately, due to the secrecy involved in Inslee’s fuel mandate plans, the exact figure remains unknown.

6. What’s happening in other states?

California was the first state to implement a cap-and-tax policy in the name of fighting global warming. The policy took effect in early 2013. Not even two years later, Californians are facing a whopping 76 cents more in the price of gas per gallon. Realizing California’s cap-and-tax system’s disastrous economic implications and the burden it places on working families, Democrat state legislators are joining Republicans in calling for a repeal of the policy.