Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Vote no on Initiative 2117
We’ve all seen the signs around town, Yes on 2117, claiming it will save you money. But what would I-2117 really mean for our state?
Think about it, why did a billionaire hedge fund investor from California come to Washington and spend 6 million dollars to get this initiative on our ballot? I-2117 aims to repeal Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
Who benefits from our Climate Commitment Act being repealed? Big oil of course. Big Oil cares only about making money selling fossil fuels. They do not give the future generations on our planet consideration. They do not consider the impacts of burning fossil fuels on our planet. 2024 will again break global records for the hottest year in history. Our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate due to the burning of fossil fuels. Recently we have seen coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Hurricanes are fueled by rising sea temperatures, which are fueled by increased greenhouse gases in our atmosphere due to our burning of fossil fuels.
In May of this year Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that erases most references to climate change and global warming from state laws. Sadly, denying its existence does not reduce the impact.
Locally we are reminded about the impacts of climate change when our skies turn smokey and the air is unhealthy to breathe due to wildfires in Canada, Oregon, and the Cascades. People with asthma are greatly affected, sports must be cancelled, and we are advised to stay inside.
We are reminded about the impacts of climate change by Mt. Rainier’s melting glaciers. We are reminded by sea level rise when the sandspit is completely underwater and the lighthouse appears to be floating in the bay, homes along the waterfront are flooded, and the recently redone dock at the boat launch is under water at high tide. Our weather patterns are changing, we get less frequent but heavier rains which don’t soak into the ground as well, thus more runoff, drier soil and less recharging of our aquifers.
Thankfully Washington legislators and our governor are proactive on climate change and passed the Climate Commitment Act. A yes vote on I-2117 would not only repeal our commitment to act on climate, it would also take away funding for new electric ferries, electric school buses, charging stations for EV’s, public transportation passes for children and teens, building weatherization and renewable-energy retrofits, and protection of our waterways. It would cut one-third of the funding for our transportation plan, increase traffic congestion and commuting time, delay or cancel major road and bridge projects, and drastically slash transit services.
What voting yes on I-2117 would NOT do is reduce gas prices. Don’t be fooled by the pretty colors on their signs, read the fine print. If you care about our state, your friends and family, and future generations, vote NO on I-2117. Thank you!
Vote NO on I-2117 is endorsed by over 490 organizations including firefighters, doctors and nurses, small businesses, Tribal Nations, teachers, and environmental groups including Surfrider Foundation.
Kathy Hall
Gig Harbor
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