SPOKANE, Wash. - Residents of Spokane are bracing for possible hikes in their utility bills as a result of the Climate Commitment Act passed in 2021. The increase is expected to take effect in 2026, unless legislative changes are made.

City council member Michael Cathcart shared apprehensions about the financial fallout residents could face. "It's not gonna improve anything. It's just gonna cost everybody a lot of money," he said.

Currently, every county in Washington, except Spokane, is exempt from the carbon credit program. This exemption is due to the unique role of the Spokane Waste to Energy Plant, which differs from the more common landfill methods across the state. "When you look at the amount of carbon that is emitted from the waste energy plant, it is far, far, far, far less than far more safe and healthy for the community to have that garbage put into a landfill," according to a source.

For over 30 years, Spokane has used a Waste to Energy Plant instead of landfills, aiming to reduce pollution. Despite this, the plant is not covered under the current Climate Commitment Act exemptions, potentially leading to higher costs for the county.

Spokane's Public Works Director, Marlene Feist, explained the fiscal and environmental balance they must strike. "If we can get to the part where we are less impactful on our environment, that's what we wanna do. We want to do that in a way, though, that makes sense financially for the community as well," Feist stated.

Feist emphasized the plant's environmental benefits, noting its lower emissions of carbon and methane compared to traditional landfills. However, she acknowledged the need for continual innovation. "Until we get to the point where we can no longer put garbage in, we really kind of have to come up with the system that serves us in the best way possible," she added.

Cathcart is advocating for legislative recognition of the plant's benefits by including it in the list of exemptions. "And if the legislature found that this was a priority, they could do it in a day," he said.

With January approaching, Cathcart hopes for legislative changes to prevent added financial burdens on Spokane residents.

FOX28 Spokane©