Out-of-state oil companies spending more than $25 million against I-1631
Credit: BP
Oil companies, including BP and Koch Industries, have continued to pour money into the campaign against I-1631. As of October 22, oil and fossil fuel companies had contributed more than $25 million to the industry PAC opposing I-1631, the initiative that would create a carbon tax and spend the receipts on renewable energy and climate change mitigation. Most of that money-$25,179,028.93, to be exact-has come from out of state companies. Washington fossil fuel companies have contributed $561,031.31, or about 2 percent of the fossil fuel industry's spending on the race.
The largest out-of-state contributors to the No on I-1631 campaign are:
- BP America, $9,596,031.40
- Phillips 66, $7,201,186.54
- Andeavor, $4,362,827.17
- American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, $1,000,000.00
- Valero, $995,000.00
- Koch Industries, $550,000.00
- Chevron, $500,000.00
The No campaign has also drawn support from the in-state agriculture (potato and fruit grower PACs) and concrete industries.
Meanwhile, the Yes campaign has raised $13 million, and its message prominently mentions oil companies' spending.
The Yes campaign's leading donors are:
- The Nature Conservancy, $1,550,000.00
- League of Conservation Voters, $1,400,000.00
- Bill Gates, $1,000,000.00
- Michael Bloomberg, $1,000,000.00
- Chris Stolte, $500,000.00
- Sarah Merner, $500,000.00
- Action Now Initiative LLC, $500,000.00
- Craig McKibben, $500,000.00
The Yes campaign has (unsurprisingly) drawn the support of most of the state's environmental groups. The Washington State Labor Council, the state branch of the AFL-CIO, also kicked in $125,000.00. Microsoft contributed $50,000.00.