I-1631 is a vote for better air and a better economy

Regarding the letter to the editor in Thursday’s Herald, “Need for I-1631’s carbon tax not proved”: ​

Initiative 1631 will accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy. It will reduce air pollution by 20 million tons a year in the state by cleaning up emissions from industrial polluters, and by deploying fleets of zero-emissions vehicles.

Initiative 1631 will create 41,000 jobs by investing in renewable energy projects such as solar panels on schools and energy efficiency projects.

The funds will come from a $15-per-ton pollution fee imposed on major polluters such as power plants and refineries.

Trade exposed energy intensive industries will be protected.

According to the EPA, investments in clean air have yielded a return on investment of 30-to-1 in reduced health-care costs. Auto and diesel exhaust causes birth defects, cancer. The cost of special education is huge and one cancer death can cost a million dollars.

Initiative 1631 is sponsored by the Washington State Labor Council because it will create jobs and mitigate the impacts to affected workers. Initiative 1631 is endorsed by social-justice organizations because it provides offsets to higher energy bills for low income households.

I have an electric car and charge it with solar panels. Over its life, it will save 16,000 gallons of gasoline. I’ll never need to buy gasoline again.

Don Steinke

Vancouver, Wash.