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Inslee Carbon Cap Critics Protest, Fast On Capitol Steps

A group that is fasting as part of a protest against Gov. Jay Inslee's Clean Air Rule to cap carbon emissions says the proposed rule doesn't go far enough.
Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network
A group that is fasting as part of a protest against Gov. Jay Inslee's Clean Air Rule to cap carbon emissions says the proposed rule doesn't go far enough.

A group of climate activists is fasting on the steps of the Washington state Capitol this week as part of a protest against Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed cap on carbon emissions. The activists say the cap doesn’t go far enough.

The group is small -- just 15 or so. At one point they stood together holding a banner that read: “Fasting For Their Future.” The banner included photographs of children with their families.

The group says Inslee’s so called Clean Air Rule is inadequate when it comes to capping industrial carbon emissions in Washington.

“This draft ruling is basically business as usual,” said Deborah Woolley who’s participating in the fast.

“It allows the fossil fuel industries to basically continue as they have been doing and we’re seeing the effects of that,” she added.

The fast is timed to coincide with a public hearing on the Clean Air Rule later this week. A spokeswoman for Inslee called the proposed rule “a strong first step” to address carbon pollution in Washington.

The Association of Washington Business said the proposed cap “sends the wrong signal” to businesses in Washington and those that might want to relocate to the state.

Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington State legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia." Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Austin Jenkins
Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."