Tri-Cities utilities resist touting WA climate act as $200 ratepayer credit deadline nears

Tri-Cities electric utilities are getting salty about being forced to acknowledge the controversial Washington state Climate Commitment Act is the source of a $200 credit available to low-income ratepayers .

An estimated 675,000 Washington households will qualify for the $200 credit off their energy bill.

The one-time credits must be allocated by Sept. 15. The deadline to apply is approaching in late August and early September for customers of various electric utilities statewide, including in the Tri-Cities.

The Benton and Franklin public utility districts and the city of Richland all agreed to accept state grants to fund the credits, but are bristling at being forced to acknowledge the money comes via the climate act.

The 2021 Legislature approved the Climate Commitment Act, which created a cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It raised taxes and fees on gas and other energy sources and on polluters, prompting backlash for the impact on the cost of doing business.

Voters will have a chance to repeal the Climate Commitment Act via Initiative 2117 in the November general election. The initiative is advanced by Let’s Go Washington .

The Washington Secretary of State certified the initiative for the 2024 ballot after receiving more than 27,000 pages of signatures.

With the future of the climate change act on the ballot, Tri-City area utilities seem to be distancing themselves from mandated state language that credits the climate act for making the tax credits possible.

Conflict of interest?

The two local PUDs added disclaimers to their marketing materials.

Richland indicated it also would, when the city council voted 5-0 this week to accept about $1 million in grant money to benefit 5,100 local households.

Richland Councilman Ryan Whitten called the climate change language a “conflict of interest” given the political situation. However, he supported taking the state’s money as long as the city adds its own disclaimer language.

“I don’t want to step in front of people getting some money for their utility bills, because utility bills have come up, but it seems a little dishonest to use a program that has increased people’s costs to offset the cost.”

Councilwoman Johanna Jones called the climate act a “wealth transfer” but also voted to take the state’s money, as did Mayor Theresa Richardson, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent and Councilman Kurt Maier.

“We all pay but only a few get it,” Jones said.

‘Not necessarily reflect the views’

The Benton and Franklin PUDs advised their ratepayers to apply for the credits in mailers sent in July. Both added disclaimers alongside the formal statement.

“The following statement and logo are required to be included on this communication as a condition of receiving this grant and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Benton PUD,” the utility said.

A spokeswoman confirmed Benton PUD added the language because it feared the mandatory statement suggested it had taken a position on the climate act.

State law prohibits PUDs and other public entities from taking political positions.

Franklin PUD included a similar disclaimer on its website but not apparently on the actual application: “The above statement is language required by the Washington State Department of Commerce. By assisting in this program, Franklin PUD is not in support, or opposition of the Climate Commitment Act.”

Quiet on Westside

The $200 credit program, officially the Washington Families Clean Energy Credits Grant, is being administered through the state Department of Commerce.

A spokeswoman confirmed the state is requiring utilities to include marketing language about the climate act, and is aware some utilities have added disclaimers. That won’t affect their customers’ eligibility, she said.

Two of the state’s largest utilities, both in the Puget Sound area, are promoting the credits without disclaimers.

Seattle City Light , serving 465,000 customers, and Tacoma Public Utilities, serving 183,000 customers, published the state language without additional comment.

Apply now

To qualify for the $200 credit households must earn 80% or less of the area median income.

If money is left over, credits will be awarded to households earning 150% of the AMI. The income limits are specific to local communities.

Benton County PUD customers can return the form mailed in July or apply online at bentonpud.org/WFCEC-App . All applications must be received by Sept. 12.

Franklin County PUD customers must complete their application by Aug. 31. Go to franklin.pud/programs-services for links to application forms in both English and Spanish.

For links to other participating power providers, go to wacleanenergycredits.com/relief_program . Keep checking as utilities are being added as they opt into the program.

Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities