Gov. Jay Inslee has challenged two Republican senators to "do more than just criticize and mischaracterize actions" being considered to reduce carbon pollution.
The governor sent a letter on Thursday to Senators Doug Ericksen, of Ferndale, and Curtis King, of Yakima. In it, Inslee disputed assertions that the Legislature has been cut out of the process as the state evaluates whether to require cleaner transportation fuels.
Last week, the lawmakers wrote to Inslee, raising concerns that a low carbon fuel standard would hurt consumers by raising gasoline prices. They also warned that Inslee's climate proposals could devastate the state's economy.
Inslee responded that the process has been open and transparent; lawmakers and legislative staff have been included; and the assertion that costs could exceed $1 a gallon was incorrect.