Connors files rebate bill to offset WA’s high gas prices
By Terry Murry on Friday, December 29th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Ahead of the 2024 session, Rep. April Connors (R-Kennewick) has filed legislation to offset Washington’s high gas prices by providing rebates to motorists from the state’s cap-and-trade revenue.
Since taking effect last January, the state has collected about $1.3 billion from the cap-and-trade auctions. That’s more money than the state anticipated. Meanwhile, Washington motorists are paying about $1 per gallon more at the gas pumps that the national average because of cap-and-trade.
Connors wants to rebate some of that money to Washington motorists.
“We could give the money back to the taxpayers who are hurting from the price of gas,” she said. “That $1.3 billion would be divided by the 6.8 million drivers that own vehicles in Washington state.”
If House Bill 2040, also known as the Carbon Auction Rebate or CAR Payment Program, is approved, registered vehicle owners in Washington would receive a rebate check in July 2024 of $180 or up to $360 per two car family.
The bill will be up for consideration when the session convenes on Jan. 8, 2024.
