Tax on carbon emissions could soon be a reality in Washington state

The idea is to make carbon pollution more expensive so people will use less fossil fuel

Voters in Washington state will go to the polls Nov 6 to decide whether or not they want to impose a first-of-its-kind “fee” on carbon emissions. Ballot initiative 1631 marks the second time the state will vote to put a cost on emissions. A prior effort, labeled a carbon tax, failed when it was on the ballot two years ago.

Proponents including Democratic Governor Jay Inslee and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates are hoping the new proposal -- which the state estimates would raise $2.3 billion for clean-energy investment by 2025—will win more backing. If passed, it would be the