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Potential impacts on King County Metro if the Climate Commitment Act is repealed
Initiative 2117 on the Nov. 2024 statewide ballot would repeal sections of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), including the “cap and invest” program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The “cap and invest” program under the CCA sets an upward limit on total carbon emissions statewide. All entities that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year must purchase allowances equal to their overage. If the entities reduce their emissions, they can sell carbon emission allowance permits they are no longer using. The revenue currently generated funds projects and grants that support state climate change mitigation and resilience goals.
Potential impacts on King County Metro
Absent replacement funds, the passage of I-2117 would result in budget cuts to Metro, though no decisions have been made regarding which programs, projects or services would be cut. Metro’s financial planning assumes approximately $600 million in funding from the CCA over 14 years. For context, Metro's two-year budget for 2023-24—inclusive of both capital projects and service delivery—is $3.32 billion. The CCA invests in communities that bear the greatest burdens from air pollution. By supporting projects in south King County communities, Metro helps the state achieve that goal.
Programs, projects and services that receive CCA funding
Access Paratransit provides door-to-door connections for people whose abilities do not allow them to use buses, light rail and other transit options.
Metro is transitioning its entire bus fleet to zero-emission by 2035. South King County was chosen for the first battery-electric buses and supporting infrastructure because that area—whose residents are disproportionately people of color and have lower average incomes—has higher pollution levels.
The CCA supports all of the 26 bus routes operated out of South Base. These include: 22, 50, 101, 102, 105, 107, 111, 118, 148, 150, 153, 156, 160, 161, 162, 165, 168, 177, 181, 182, 183, 184, 187, 193, RapidRide A Line and RapidRide F Line.
- DART offers connections for areas farther from transit. The service also provides “off-route” pick-ups and drop-offs by request.
DART page - Trailhead Direct provides weekend connections to trailheads during the summer.
Trailhead page - The Water Taxi Shuttle is a free service providing accessible neighborhood connections, as well as transportation to and from the West Seattle Water Taxi Pier (a.k.a. Seacrest Dock).
Water Taxi page
Interim Base will be Metro’s first 100% battery-electric bus base. The Tukwila location was chosen to prioritize the delivery of zero-emission buses to communities that currently endure higher pollution levels. Communities of color and people who have lower incomes comprise a disproportionately high percentage of residents in these areas.
The Job Access Reverse Commute Transportation Program assists with transportation issues for individuals with lower incomes. The program partners with community-based organizations, employers, housing authorities, local jurisdictions and social service agencies.
Launching in Sept. 2024, the RapidRide G Line will serve Madison Valley, Central Area, Capitol Hill, First Hill and Downtown Seattle.
Since 2023, the RapidRide H Line has served Burien, White Center, Westwood Village, Delridge and downtown Seattle.
Launching in 2026, the RapidRide I Line will serve Renton, Kent and Auburn.
South Annex Bus Base in Tukwila will be Metro’s first permanent 100% battery-electric bus base.
To be eligible for certain funding from the CCA, Metro also launched Free Youth Transit, which makes travel free across the ORCA network for all riders age 18 and younger. Metro may need to revisit the decision to provide Free Youth Transit if funding from the CCA is lost.
Please note it is difficult to definitively determine the effects of Initiative 2117 should it pass. Implementation would rely on resolving any potential legal challenges, future decisions of the Washington State Legislature, and resulting decisions by King County and Metro.