I-2117 imposes too high a cost on our health; vote no

By Jonathan Witte / For The Herald

In a few weeks, Washingtonians will be asked to vote on Initiative 2117, an initiative which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, passed by the state Legislature in 2021.

A recent editorial (“I-2117 no bargain for climate, transportation; vote no,” The Herald, Oct. 3), outlines the multiple adverse economic consequences that passing I-2117 would have for our state, hoping to save, perhaps 10 to 20 cents on a gallon of gasoline.

No one wants gas prices to rise, yet this initiative will not guarantee they won’t. However, it will guarantee other costs, such as to our health and health care-related expenses, will rise. As a physician, these health impacts are of particular concern to me.

Many health organizations oppose I-2117, including the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, of which I am a member. WPSR has compiled an analysis of the health risks posed by this initiative at www.wpsr.org/climate. This analysis describes the benefits generated by the CCA, which I-2117 would remove.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-i-2117-imposes-too-high-a-cost-on-our-health-vote-no/