Welcome to The Newsfeed.

I'm Venice Buhain, in for Paris Jackson.

This week, ahead of Earth Day, we're focusing on stories about the environment, starting with a look at how Washington's Climate Commitment Act is playing out five years after it was created.

How does the Climate Commitment Act work?

The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing companies to buy into a cap-and-invest auction system.

Places like paper mills or petroleum refineries bid on a limited number of allowances, or they can change their operations to reduce their fossil fuel consumption.

How much money has it raised?

More than $4 billion since it started collecting revenue in 2023.

The money is directed toward projects that reduce the use of fossil fuels, or lessen the effects of pollution on the most affected communities.

Projects throughout the state have included rural charging stations, salmon restoration projects, insulating homes for energy efficiency, and electric bike programs.

Did we vote on the Climate Commitment Act?

Yes we did.

The law survived a challenge in 2024 when a group called Let's Go Washington put an initiative on the ballot that would have repealed the Climate Commitment Act.

Voters struck it down and kept the law as is.

Does it raise gas prices?

Yes.

But it isn't the only factor impacting gas prices in Washington state.

Critics have said the law has indirectly raised costs by as much as $0.50 a gallon.

But on top of that, Washington has the third highest gas taxes and fees in the nation at $0.59 per gallon.

And of course, global and market conditions are also a factor in rising gas prices.

Did lawmakers redirect Climate Commitment Act revenue?

Not this year.

Gov.

Bob Ferguson and both the House and Senate floated the idea of redirecting Climate Commitment Act revenue to help close the state's $2.3 billion budget gap.

But in the end, the Climate Commitment Act revenue remained directed toward environmental projects and programs.

Next time, we'll take you inside a King County recycling facility that invites artists-in-residence to make new art from trash.

Thanks for watching The Newsfeed.