‘They need a break’: WA farmers, Spike plead Ferguson to pause CCA amid rising diesel prices

As diesel prices continue to rise due to the conflict in Iran and costs associated with Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), state farmers are struggling to cover business costs.

One Mount Vernon farmer whose family has been farming for roughly 700 years recently raised concerns over the skyrocketing diesel prices, noting it’s killing his business, and urged a temporary pause on the CCA.

“I would love to see even a temporary pause in the Climate Commitment Act during these high fuel prices,” the farmer told KOMO News. “Farms are exempt from that cost, but my suppliers and other businesses that I have to pay transportation for to get product in or even product out. Those costs are passed on to me.”

Jake, Spike echo farmers’ Climate Commitment Act concerns

Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill, co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, both agreed with the farmers’ qualms and asked Governor Bob Ferguson to take a similar stance to one that New York Governor Kathy Hochul has taken.

“That number would add up quickly. I looked up how much fuel a tractor would generally use on a farm. It’s usually about 15 gallons an hour. When you start adding that number up, I mean, $1.20 times 15 is what? 20 bucks? Maybe a little less something.

Spike referred to a statement from Hochul where the state looks to act on the recent rise in fuel costs and find ways to trim the fat, among other avenues. Spike urged Governor Ferguson to take a similar approach by pausing pieces of his agenda that he holds dear as the state navigates trying times.

“We’re pinched on all sides. It’s not like I had this idea, but Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, had a very well thought-out, well-spoken piece about New York not forgoing its commitment to the environment or its efforts toward a cleaner energy future. But right now, [Hochul] has to think about her constituency, the people [she’s] elected to serve, and right now, they need a break, and this is one place maybe we can offer them a break.

“Our governor is in the same predicament. We’re not asking you to forego the entirety of your commitment to the future and clean energy and all those things that you hold dear and your legacy and your agenda,” Spike continued. “The governor’s got an opportunity here to step in and step up for the people in Washington. We’re not just spitballing crazy, crazy ideas. It makes common sense. It’s practical. Put a temporary pause on this thing. You’ve got the power.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.