State lawmakers consider highway tolls to fight global warming
Andrew GarberSeattle Times Friday, February 29, 2008
OLYMPIA — Two global-warming bills likely to pass the Legislature this session could open the door to tolls on major highways in the central Puget Sound region as a way to reduce traffic and greenhouse-gas emissions.
Environmental groups consider the bills critical to a larger effort to get people out of their cars and into public transportation. Transportation accounts for almost half of the state's greenhouse-gas emissions.
House Bill 2815 requires the state to sharply reduce greenhouse gases between now and 2050. It also calls for slashing the number of miles traveled by vehicles in the state by half in the same time period.
The second bill, House Bill 1773, says tolls should be used to reduce greenhouse gases. It would allow tolls to become permanent and to vary in price based on the time of day.
Both bills passed the House and are in the Senate. They're expected to become law.
Any widespread tolling strategy would likely face strong political opposition and wouldn't happen any time soon.
But environmental groups backing the measures ultimately want the region to use tolls to discourage travel by car, especially during peak travel times. The tolls also could raise billions of dollars to maintain highways and bulk up public transit as an alternative way to travel.
Such a strategy is often referred to as congestion pricing or variable tolling.
A study done last year found the state could raise up to $36 billion over 20 years by charging variable tolls on major highways from Lakewood, Pierce County, north to Everett and as far east as Issaquah.
"Congestion pricing is a key piece of the puzzle," along with increased public transportation and more walkable communities, said Jessyn Farrell, executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, which backs the legislation.
Such a tolling system would provide "a guaranteed commute where right now you're stuck in traffic," Farrell said.
State officials shy away from saying Washington is headed toward widespread tolling.
"I don't know what will happen in the future," said House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Clibborn. "I don't think people are ready to get out of their cars yet."
OLYMPIA — Two global-warming bills likely to pass the Legislature this session could open the door to tolls on major highways in the central Puget Sound region as a way to reduce traffic and greenhouse-gas emissions.
Environmental groups consider the bills critical to a larger effort to get people out of their cars and into public transportation. Transportation accounts for almost half of the state's greenhouse-gas emissions.
House Bill 2815 requires the state to sharply reduce greenhouse gases between now and 2050. It also calls for slashing the number of miles traveled by vehicles in the state by half in the same time period.
The second bill, House Bill 1773, says tolls should be used to reduce greenhouse gases. It would allow tolls to become permanent and to vary in price based on the time of day.
Both bills passed the House and are in the Senate. They're expected to become law.
Any widespread tolling strategy would likely face strong political opposition and wouldn't happen any time soon.
But environmental groups backing the measures ultimately want the region to use tolls to discourage travel by car, especially during peak travel times. The tolls also could raise billions of dollars to maintain highways and bulk up public transit as an alternative way to travel.
Such a strategy is often referred to as congestion pricing or variable tolling.
A study done last year found the state could raise up to $36 billion over 20 years by charging variable tolls on major highways from Lakewood, Pierce County, north to Everett and as far east as Issaquah.
"Congestion pricing is a key piece of the puzzle," along with increased public transportation and more walkable communities, said Jessyn Farrell, executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, which backs the legislation.
Such a tolling system would provide "a guaranteed commute where right now you're stuck in traffic," Farrell said.
State officials shy away from saying Washington is headed toward widespread tolling.
"I don't know what will happen in the future," said House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Clibborn. "I don't think people are ready to get out of their cars yet."
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