In a recent city council meeting, Seattle officials unanimously expressed their opposition to Washington state ballot initiative 2117, which seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. This act, established in 2021, aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system, where businesses can buy and sell carbon credits. The initiative, if passed, would jeopardize future funding for critical environmental projects in Seattle.

Council member Morales, who sponsored the resolution alongside the mayor, highlighted the importance of the Climate Commitment Act, noting that Seattle has received over $26 million in grants from its proceeds. These funds have been instrumental in supporting energy-efficient programs, electric vehicle infrastructure, and various environmental restoration efforts.

Council members voiced their concerns about the potential impacts of initiative 2117, emphasizing that its passage would not only halt funding for projects aimed at reducing climate pollution but also affect public safety initiatives, such as the Aurora Avenue project, which relies on state funding tied to the Climate Commitment Act.

The council's resolution aligns Seattle with other cities and over 300 organizations across Washington, including environmental groups and public health experts, in a collective stance against the initiative. Council members underscored the necessity of continuing investments in clean air and renewable energy, asserting that reversing progress in climate action is not an option for the city. The council is set to open the floor for public comments before proceeding to a vote on the resolution.