Washington’s Self-Inflicted Energy Costs

The August 10th Seattle Times included an article on “Why Trump’s ‘One-Big Beautiful Bill’ likely to raise WA energy costs”.  Another example of their Climate Lab project that"explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond."

Previous posts have detailed the “limited” benefit of attempts to reduce Washington’s CO2 emissions.  They make up only 1.56% of the countries.  That the United States makes up 11.2% of the world's. Thus, any benefits from reducing emissions are limited to reducing the states 0.117% of the total.  

They don’t require allowances from those burning natural gas where they live or work or gas or diesel in their vehicles that make up nearly 70% of the state’s total CO2 “pollution". Thus, reducing Washington’s CO2 emissions will have little effect on climate.

Here in Washington state, energy experts and policy wonks are coming to understand Trump’s plan is going to mean higher electric bills.  The tax plan will eliminate single-family tax credits and hamstring the very wind, solar and battery projects Washington state is scrambling to build.  The money lost will soar into the billions, according to some estimates.

Precisely when your bills will rise and by how much remain somewhat unclear. But the tax plan will eliminate single-family tax credits, hand out billions to fossil fuel companies and hamstring the very wind, solar and battery projects Washington state is scrambling to build.

The article claims money lost, according to some estimates, will soar into the billions. Ratepayers throughout Washington will be forced to absorb higher electrical bills as the cost to build new wind, solar and battery projects increase by perhaps 30% or more.   Those who installed rooftop solar panels, heat pumps or similar devices were eligible for a tax credit worth 30% of their cost, but that offering will end by Dec. 31. The bill also eliminates a $7,500 consumer rebate for some electric vehicles.

The bottom line is Trump's bill does nothing to increase the cost of creating renewable energy. The Traffic Lab’s version of “money lost or cost” is money paid by someone else. If Washington wants to prevent Trump’s plan for increasing the state’s costs for renewable energy projects, they should recognize the miniscule effect they’ll have on CO2 emissions and global warming and abort them.