Blog

Climate resiliency surcharge proposed for large financial institutions

Senators Carlyle and Rolfes have introduced SB 5967, which would add a new “climate resiliency and mitigation” surcharge on certain financial institutions. Essentially, this would fall on the same banks subject to the 1.2% business and occupation (B&O) surtax on large financial institutions, to the extent that they finance fossil fuel companies. As with the […]

Value of agricultural production in Washington was $10.2 billion in 2020, up 7.2% from 2019

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the value of agricultural production in Washington was $10.181 billion in 2020. That’s an increase of 7.2% over 2019. The top ten commodities in Washington in 2020 were apples, milk, wheat, potatoes, cattle, cherries, hay, hops, grapes, and eggs. The charts show the value of these commodities […]

Gov. Inslee’s climate package would cap greenhouse gas emissions, implement a clean fuel standard, and partially fund the working families tax credit

Yesterday, Gov. Inslee announced a package of climate proposals, as part of his 2021-23 budget proposals. (On Monday he announced $365 million for an equity policy package.) His climate proposal includes: A cap on greenhouse gas emissions, with revenues from selling emission allowances going to a new climate investment account. “Funds from the account would […]

Value of agricultural production in Washington was $9.495 billion in 2019, including a record high value of blueberries (as U.S. begins investigation of blueberry imports)

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that the value of agricultural production in Washington was $9.495 billion in 2019. That’s down from $9.682 billion in 2018. Value of production has been declining since it reached $10.719 billion in 2015. The top ten agricultural commodities in Washington in 2019 were apples, milk, potatoes, wheat, cattle, […]

Value of agricultural production in Washington dropped to $9.7 billion in 2018

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Washington’s value of agricultural production dropped from $9.856 billion in 2017 (as revised) to $9.673 billion in 2018. The first chart below shows the top five commodities by value. Apples are still number one (and represent 22.6 percent of total agricultural value in Washington), but their value dropped […]

New policy brief: Initiative 1631: Putting a Price on Carbon

This November, voters are being asked to approve Initiative 1631, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels sold or used in the state. The fee would be based on the quantity of greenhouse gases released when the fuel is combusted. The initial rate for the fee would be $15 per carbon dioxide equivalent metric […]

Washington’s value of agricultural production was $10.6 billion in 2017

The value of agricultural production in Washington increased 3.8 percent to $10.6 billion in 2017. Apples were the number one commodity by value, at $2.4 billion (23.0 percent of the total). The chart below shows the top five commodities by value. The second chart rounds out the top ten by value. According to the National […]

New special report: Avista and Hydro One: Lessons from Utility Consolidation in North America

Across North America, utilities have steadily consolidated over time. This has occurred because of the economics of the industry, public policies, market conditions, and regulatory policy changes. The consolidations can take several forms; utility mergers and acquisitions can be characterized, for example, as large-entity takeovers, mergers of equals, or in the Fortis Model (in which […]

Apple growers and regulatory fatigue

The New York Times ran a good story last week on the regulatory burden experienced by apple growers. It focuses on a family operation in New York, but the story will be familiar for Washington growers and other businesses. This is life on the farm — and at businesses of all sorts. With thick rule […]

Policy Today podcast: Housing affordability in the Puget Sound