$5 a gallon? Gas prices in Washington to surge amid fuel, CO2 taxes
$5 a gallon? Gas prices in Washington to surge amid fuel, CO2 taxes
As more than 61 million holiday travelers prepare to hit the road next week for the 4th of July, AAA reports that gas prices may see a slight increase - but Washington drivers need to brace themselves for even higher costs.
The state's gas tax goes into effect on July 1, piling on to the expected national price increase.
AAA shows Washington drivers pay around $4.44 per gallon, about $1.24 more than the national average.
Starting Tuesday, the gas tax is expected to add another six cents per gallon to fund road projects and bridge maintenance.
Opinions among Seattle drivers are divided on whether the added cost is justified, with interviewees telling KOMO News that they're not seeing city or road infrastructure improvements that validate the price increase.
"Seattle doesn’t pay [any] money on the infrastructure here. You go down I-5, it bumps everything. So, I don’t think we spend enough money on that," Seattle local Timothy Durden said.
"We’re basically California now with our gas prices," added Quinn Sullivan, another Seattle resident.
Some drivers are searching extensively for the best deals on gas. Near the airport, prices are notably higher, with people paying nearly $5 a gallon at a 76 station - which is leading to frustration among drivers concerned about the impact on their holiday travel plans.
In addition to the gas tax, the state's CO2 emissions tax from the Climate Commitment Act just went up another 6 cents as well.
"So you’ll see about 12 cents per gallon higher than what it would be just in this month alone in addition to the typical market fluctuations that you see in the summer," explained Todd Myers, the vice president for Research at the Washington Policy Center.
The State Department of Ecology emphasized that regulations like the Climate Commitment Act are not the primary factor in gas prices. A spokesperson explained that the recent increase of just over three cents per gallon mirrored the national trend.
Revenue from the CO2 emissions tax is allocated to various programs aimed at reducing carbon emissions, expanding public transit in rural areas, and supporting people with disabilities. Since its inception two and a half years ago, the program has raised approximately $3.2 billion.
