Senate Bill Would Prohibit State Agency From Setting Carbon Cap

SEATTLE (AP) — A new bill takes aim at Gov. Jay Inslee's carbon policies by prohibiting state regulators from adopting rules that limits greenhouse gas emissions without legislative direction.

The measure, sponsored by Republican Sen. Doug Ericksen, undercuts the governor's ability to take executive action on issue.

At a bill hearing Tuesday, Ericksen said lawmakers should be making those decisions and Ecology's proposed rule should be put on hold.

An Inslee spokeswoman declined to comment on the proposal.

After failing to get legislation passed on his cap and trade plan last year, Inslee directed the Department of Ecology to limit carbon pollution using its existing authority under state law. Ecology has proposed a draft rule requiring Washington's largest industrial emitters to reduce carbon emissions by 5 percent every three years.

Senate Bill 6173 was heard in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment & Telecommunications.