So many people signed up to testify on Gov. Jay Inslee’s sweeping proposal to rein in greenhouse gases that Tuesday’s public hearing on the bill was continued to Thursday.

About three dozen people from across the state testified before the House Environment Committee on a bill to cap the overall amount of carbon emissions in the state and require major polluters to pay for each metric ton of carbon released.

The hearing room quickly filled, and many who couldn’t get a seat had to watch the proceedings on TVs in several overflow rooms.

Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien, who chairs the committee, said the impacts of climate change are real and the state can’t afford to wait any longer to address it. He’s the prime sponsor of House Bill 1314, which has three dozen Democratic co-sponsors.