Five energy and environment policy ballot questions to watch. - MIRATECH
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Five energy and environment policy ballot questions to watch.

November 1, 2018

Voters in various states will be weighing in election day on high-stakes ballot initiatives that seek to implement major changes to environment and energy policies according to an October 28, 2018 report from The Hill. Here are five of the most consequential initiatives facing voters on Election Day.

Washington state carbon tax

Initiative 1631 would charge companies $15 for each metric ton of carbon dioxide they emit, increasing by $2 each year until Washington meets its 2035 climate goal of 25 percent below greenhouse gas emission levels from 1990. The money would go toward clean air and water projects, as well as to community health initiatives.

Colorado oil and natural gas drilling restrictions

Proposition 112 would require oil and natural gas wells be at least 2,500 feet from homes, schools, hospitals, waterways and other areas deemed “vulnerable,” more than double the current 1,000-foot threshold. That would put as much as 95 percent of the state off-limits to drilling, according to industry estimates.

Florida offshore drilling ban

Amendment 9 would enshrine in Florida’s constitution a ban on offshore oil and natural gas drilling in state waters, which extend out 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic coast and 9 nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico.

California fuel tax repeal

Voters in California, a state where ballot initiatives are commonplace, will consider a Republican-backed measure to repeal a 2017 law that boosted gasoline and diesel taxes by 12 cents and 20 cents per gallon, respectively. Last year’s law also began annual, automatic increases that would stop if the initiative passes.

Nevada renewable energy mandate

Nevadans will be voting on Question 6, a proposal that would double the Renewable Portfolio Standard — the minimum portion of electricity that utilities must get from renewable sources — to 50 percent by 2030. That would make the sunny Silver State one of the tops in the nation for renewable mandates.

What this means to you
Here are five of the most consequential energy/environmental state ballot initiatives facing voters on Election Day.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for stationary engine emission compliance and control solutions.