Read the full Policy Note here.

Key Findings

1. A Physicians for Social Responsibility study on climate change and air quality contradicts the claims of the very study it cites and the data in Washington state.
2. The impact claimed by PSR is based on a worst-case scenario far beyond what the U.N.’s IPCC says is likely.
3. PSR notes that Yakima County has some of the worst air quality in Washington state, but cites cars as the cause, despite having a low number of cars.
4. PSR calls for “safe bike lanes, bike share programs,” and other expenditures that have no relation to the air quality of a rural county like Yakima.
5. PSR also claims “fossil-fuel fired electricity generating units” are the cause of air pollution, even though air quality is excellent near the state’s only coal-fired plan.

The debate over imposing carbon taxes on people’s energy use is heating up in our state and those advocating big-government policies are offering a range of justifications for their approach. Tellingly, the justifications they offer, especially during the 2018 legislative session, are often unrelated to their proposed solutions. 

The latest case in point is offered by a group calling itself, “Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility” (PSR), who say lawmakers should use a measure called the “Health Co-Benefits of Climate Change Mitigation in Washington State.”

Ranging from reductions in air pollution to improved diet, they claim imposing an expensive carbon tax is justified because it would reduce health impacts. Their claims, however, are quite flimsy and their examples demonstrate that the supposed solutions they promote do not match the problem.

 Read the full Policy Note here.