Voters decide on climate measures, reject initiative to tax natural gas powered buildings in California city

On Tuesday, voters in various states decided on ballot initiatives that would determine whether to expand and fund environmental and climate-related projects in their states.

In Berkeley, California, voters shot down a ballot measure to impose a tax on buildings 15,000 square feet or larger using natural gas, or appliances such as gas stoves for heat.

At the state level, California voters passed a ballot measure to finance climate projects across the state.

California voters passed Proposition 4, which will create a $10 billion taxpayer-funded bond for climate projects, including improvements to drinking water, wildfire prevention efforts, and protecting coastal areas from rises in sea level.

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The large Barren Ridge solar panel array is viewed from Highway 58 on April 4, 2017 near Mojave, California. (George Rose)

Prior to its passing, opponents of the measure warned that there would be financial implications for such projects and that the state should not take a loan-based approach to climate-related mitigation.

On Election Day, voters in Washington rejected an initiative to repeal the state’s climate policy.

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Residents voted against Washington Initiative 2117, which would have repealed the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.

The measure would have repealed the 2021 law and prohibited state agencies from implementing any carbon cap-and-trade system.

A wind turbine farm in the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington state side of the river. (Don and Melinda Crawford)

Proponents of the bill have heavily criticized the law and claim the current carbon tax has increased energy costs. A group opposing the bill, however, told Fox News Digital that passing the measure would mean “more pollution in our air and water.”

“Washingtonians said loud and clear that they value clean air and clean water — and they don’t want to go backwards,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “Washingtonians showed that they reject cynicism, and they support action and innovation to protect our kids’ and grandkids’ health. This a victory for clean air, clean energy jobs, and a stronger economy in the Evergreen State.”

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Rhode Island passed Question 4 on their ballots for a $53-million bond for land preservation, while Minnesota voters voted in favor of Amendment 1 to earmark funds from the state lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for environmental projects.