Our legislators should vote “no” on SB 5735. State government and environmental interest groups may profit from this new tax but it is an unnecessary disaster for homeowners and businesses.

Compounding the problem the proposal could force businesses

and homeowners to pay twice, once for their utility’s cost of meeting emission reduction goals and again with a new tax on any remaining emissions.

Despite the fact the legislation implements a fundamental

change in the Washington State economy, no detailed economic analysis of the impacts has been completed. This alone is unacceptable.

Finally, if our goal is to reduce greenhouse gases it makes no sense to try and move forward with energy laws that are inconsistent and even contradictory.

John F. Derrig, Bellevue