By Taxpayer Foundation of Oregon,
Oregonians could soon be paying $4 or more for a gallon of gas if lawmakers pass cap-and-trade in the next year.
Just before Christmas, Oregon lawmakers unveiled an outline of their plan to impose a cap-and-trade program on the state. Sponsors of the program hope to turn their proposal into law during the 35 day legislative session beginning in early 2018.
At one time the proposal was estimated to generate $1.4 billion every two years from the sale of emissions permits. That amounts to about $450 a year for an Oregon household. Much of that will come from higher fuel and utility prices paid by Oregon homes and businesses.
According the California’s nonpartisan legislative analysts by 2021, cap-and-trade will raise gas prices in the state by at least 15 cents a gallon. Research by FTI Consulting finds Oregon would see similar increases.
GasBuddy reports that Oregon already has the fifth highest gas prices in the U.S. With the New Year, Oregonians will pay an additional four cents in gas tax. In addition, the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, once implemented will cause gas prices to rise even higher.
With cap-and-trade, along with the other policies designed to increase fuel prices, Oregonians could soon be paying $4 or more for a gallon of gas.
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