Initiative 1631 would invest in clean energy infrastructure like wind and solar, healthy forests, and clean water, creating thousands of good paying jobs across the state while cutting climate-damaging pollution.
This initiative is a game changer on multiple fronts: it will jump start a clean and renewable energy economy like never seen before here in Washington; it will give the public important oversight in how the funds are spent; and it is born out of a collaborative effort with environmental, communities of color, labor, business, faith, and health groups creating this solution together.
Out of state oil companies like Phillips 66, Shell, and Chevron have put in 99.9% of the opposition money in hopes to buy this election. Yes on 1631 is the broadest coalition in Washington state history to work on passing an initiative. And I-1631 is a practical first step to ensure clean air and clean water for everyone in Washington by holding the state’s largest polluters accountable.
GET INVOLVED
Join us at one of our phonebanks, become a digital organizer, or volunteer for a canvassing shift to talk to people in your community and spread the word! Sign up here or email Field Organizer Nathan McCurtain, nathan@waconservationaction.org with your volunteer questions.
Make sure to vote and help pass this historic initiative! Ballots must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, November 6th.
THE POLICY
As Washingtonians we all do our part to keep our state clean. But right now the largest polluters can pollute for free while the rest of us pay the costs. I-1631 would put a fee on the state’s largest polluters, like the oil industry and utilities that have not switched over to clean energy, and invest in protecting our air and water and building new clean energy infrastructure across the state. We know with this initiative, we can protect our health, build new good paying jobs, and ensure a cleaner future for the next generation.
What Does I-1631 Invest In?
- 70% to new clean energy infrastructure
- 25% to clean water and healthy forests
- 5% to investments in local communities
Together, we can take a powerful step forward and protect clean air and healthy drinking water for everyone in our state.
Read the full initiative language here, see our one-pager on the policy, and check out the Yes on 1631 website for more information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who pays the fee?
This is a fee on large polluters in the state like the oil industry and utilities that haven’t switched over to clean energy. They’ve caused the most harm and they should be held accountable and pay for their pollution. The world’s largest oil companies are fighting this initiative because they want to continue polluting for free and protect their billion dollar profits.
Q: How will this affect rural communities?
Many rural communities are the most affected by pollution. Places like Centralia have dealt with decades of coal pollution and they are the first to be affected as our forests and rivers decline. The initiative invests in our state’s natural resources and reduces pollution in those communities who need it most. Our partners in rural communities have said loud and clear what they need most are investments to make the clean energy economy more affordable and more accessible for more people, and that’s exactly what our initiative does.
Q: Who oversees these investments? How are the decisions made?
All investments are overseen by a public board made up of experts in science, business, health, and trusted community leaders, so the oil industry isn’t making decisions about our future. Local businesses and community-based organizations will partner to kick-start projects that are proven to reduce pollution, benefit diverse communities, and create good-paying jobs across the state. The investments will be regularly evaluated to assess whether Washington is meeting state targets for reducing pollution, reaching those communities who need it most, and making clean energy more affordable for more people.
Q: How do we know this will reduce pollution?
Our initiative is based on established Washington’s state pollution reduction goals. The fee to our largest polluters and the money invested are specifically based around reaching those targets set by the state. Investments are continually audited to ensure we are staying on track. If our largest polluters are not reducing pollution enough the fee will rise or the public board of experts will shift how funds are allocated in order to meet those goals.
Learn more at www.yeson1631.com
