The multimillion-dollar fight over WA’s cap-and-invest program

Heywood loaned Let’s Go Washington another $157,000 in 2024, according to the PDC. Let’s Go Washington’s top donors in 2024 are Bellevue-based Kemper Holdings, led by prominent businessman Kemper Freeman Jr. ($100,000), Yakima business investor Peter Plath ($50,000), a Yakima-based entity called 1975 CHRD ($12,000) and the Washington Retail Association ($10,000). 

Cap-and-invest supporters “are going to have to raise $15 million to convince people of something that is not true. [Cap-and-invest] is not designed to remove climate change. It is designed to be a tax,” Heywood said.

Both sides said they expect lots of small contributors to donate to their campaigns. “Other side is a bunch of big money. … They’re going to make me the villain. … This is the American Revolution army versus the well-financed British army,” Heywood said. 

Meanwhile, the Western States Petroleum Association — which represents four of Washington’s oil refineries, plus others along the Pacific Coast — plans to sit out the balloting. “We do not oppose the [Climate Commitment Act] and believe the cap-and-trade program should be fixed rather than repealed. We are not involved in the campaign,” wrote WSPA spokesman Kevin Slagle in an email.

The fifth Washington oil refinery is owned by BP America, which is part of the No On 2117 coalition.

Let’s Go Washington plans to focus its campaign on the increase in Washington’s gas prices.

No On 2117 will stress the fallout on Washingtonians if the cap-and-invest program is revoked. “All these involve cutbacks in public programs that have broad public support. … I don’t think that is a hard message to convey,” Kaushik said.  

“I-2117 would deal a catastrophic blow to efforts to reduce carbon and health-harming air pollution and it would have a devastating impact on our state budget,” said David Mendoza, director of public advocacy and engagement for The Nature Conservancy, in a No On 2117 press release. He mentioned the money needed for renewable energy, clean air and water, healthy communities and forests, and for economic support for those most impacted by the climate crisis. “That’s why a broad coalition of organizations and community leaders from across our state has come together to mobilize communities in Washington to defeat I-2117,” he added.