Inslee signs climate-change bills, faces recall
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has signed three bills that he says will help in the fight against climate change. The new laws impose a cap on carbon pollution, set a clean-fuels standard, and eliminate fluorinated gases that are used in devices like air conditioners.
There was immediate response from the other side of the aisle. Republican Sen. Doug Ericksen of Ferndale said the new laws will create blackouts, crash the economy and drive up energy costs. He added that there won’t be enough electricity to power all the electric cars the governor wants residents to purchase.
In addition, a group has filed an effort to recall Gov. Inslee. Organizers of the Recall Inslee campaign claim that with his handling of the pandemic, Inslee interfered with their right to religion, to assemble, to work freely, and to make their own personal medical decisions.
The issue must be signed off on by the attorney general and then be approved by a judge. After that, the group will have 270 days to collect 1 million signatures.
