Washington State pays the price for addressing climate change.

Washington's cap and trade system to reduce fossil fuel use is designed to ratchet up tighter each year. That is to gradually ween the state off of fossil fuel use. The law seems to be moving faster toward the goal of reducing fossil fuel use than a lot of the people are ready for, I guess. Thus some folks complaining about the high gas prices.

I think a carbon tax is a better idea than cap and trade. It's simpler and easier to understand. It does, however have a similar affect to make fossil fuel more expensive and transfer some of the money to developing an economy with a lower carbon footprint.

The regular gas tax has gone up also. Somebody has to pay for the roads and road building is expensive.

Image from KIRO Radio.