“We are disappointed that the Clallam County PUD Board of Commissioners voted against supporting Initiative 732, a measure designed to accelerate the switch to affordable clean energy.”
In a guest opinion piece in the Sequim Gazette, OCA members collaborated on a response and appeal to the Clallam County Public Utility District Commissioners to rescind their opposition to the Carbon Tax Initiative, I-732. The main points:
- Most Clallam residents will keep more money in their pockets with I-732.
- I-732 will help the PUD meet its state and federal regulatory mandates.
- Most importantly, I-732 will curb fossil fuel pollution which contributes to climate change, a problem with serious social and economic consequences for Clallam County–winter floods, summer drought, wildfire, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification among them.
The piece concludes: “We have a responsibility to protect our children and future generations from these dangerous and costly threats to our community. With I-732, we can reduce taxes while protecting the environment. We urge the Clallam PUD commissioners to support I-732 and fulfill their mission to provide reliable, efficient, safe and low cost utility services in a financially and environmentally responsible manner.”
Catastrophic weather events seem to capture more headlines with each passing year–including events which have cut off power or water to PUD customers. The time for “business as usual” is past. We will continue to educate the PUD Commissioners and PUD customers about the advantages of I-732 to our community, our state, our nation, and the world at large. Climate change is not going away, and these issues aren’t either–in fact, they become more compelling with each passing day.
Olympic Climate Action 