Editor,

Not to shock you, but the oil companies are lying. Initiative 631 is not a tax. It is a fee placed on oil companies and utilities that burn fossil fuels. It will be their decision to pass those costs on to the consumer.

The money collected must go to addressing the problem. It will be applied three ways: 70 percent for seeding local solutions to reduce carbon pollution and create 40,000 living wage jobs; 25 percent to protect Washington’s resources: forests, freshwater and our infrastructure, made vulnerable by increasing storm intensity, sea level rise, droughts, flooding, etc.; 5 percent to support vulnerable communities: low income, those living in the most dangerous places, and even the fossil fuel workers who will be displaced and need retraining or chose early retirement.

An independent study demonstrates that, if fees are passed on, gasoline might increase 10-14 cents, at most. An average person’s monthly bills would rise $10.

The Seattle Times recognizes 1631’s importance: “This makes Washington a beacon in the dark age of Trump, with a climate-change-denying federal government… If it succeeds, I-1631 could inspire other states. Failure leaves us with a status quo that is unsustainable.” Oil companies have already spent $20 million dollars to delude the public and protect their profits. I-1631 puts people before profits. We invite scrutiny. Ballotpedia.com has done a thorough, balanced analysis of I-1631. On Whidbey, local leaders are engaged in seeking endorsements from towns and businesses, including WhidbeyHealth Medical Center.

The many threats to public health which carbon chaos poses are real. These threats to our physical and emotional well-being are being played out right now across the globe. The American Public Health Association recognizes this. Georges Benjamin, executive director, has said, “If anyone doesn’t think this is a severe problem, they are fooling themselves.”

Truly, “There is no more time for, ‘No,’ said a woman testifying in favor of Mercer Island’s endorsement of I-1631. We are going to win this. Please vote yes on I–1631.

Dianne Deseck-Piazzon

Coupeville