Spokane requests climate exemption to avoid $8M annual fine, utility rate hikes

(The Center Square) – Facing $8 million in penalties, the Spokane City Council requested an exemption on Monday for a local Waste-to-Energy facility, subject to the state’s Climate Commitment Act in 2027.

The plea topped a list of state legislative priorities that the officials approved on Monday. Other issues include expanding tax-deferral programs that convert parking lots into affordable housing, increasing funding for homelessness and police, bolstering what many call the state’s “sanctuary” law, and more.

Spokane requested a CCA exemption for the 2025 legislative session, too, but it never came to fruition as the Democratic majority was focused on closing a massive budget deficit. Councilmembers Michael Cathcart and Jonathan Bingle, the two fiscal conservatives, were the only ones to vote against the list.

“The language here misses the mark,” Cathcart said. “Unfortunately, when you negotiate with yourself, I don’t think the outcome is always as good as it could be; so for those reasons...