LACEY, WA – The recent decision by Judge Lanese to dismiss the case without providing any independent reasoning is both inexplicable and disappointing. This outcome represents a political punt with catastrophic financial consequences for the state's farmers and ranchers, who are being lost in record numbers.

At a time when more than two Washington farms go out of business daily, the state government sits on hundreds of millions of dollars in Climate Commitment Act (CCA) fuel revenues collected, and continues to collect, from farmers and ranchers without providing the required pathways for farmers to receive the exemption for which they are owed by law. This is despite the legislature acknowledging their intent was not met by Ecology and allocating $30 million to partially reimburse farmers, ranchers, and transporters for their losses as a result of Ecology’s failed program implementation.

In response, the Washington Farm Bureau stood up for the agricultural community by suing Ecology. The suit, heard in Thurston County last week, was the latest in a series of efforts to address the CCA's flawed implementation. Despite these efforts, the court abdicated its duty to hold Ecology accountable in what has unfortunately become the status quo in a judicial system that systematically rubber stamps agency negligence.

"The court’s choice to not uphold Ecology’s responsibility to remain in compliance with the laws under the Climate Commitment Act leaves agriculture no path but to fervently support the repeal of this flawed program," said Bre Elsey, Washington Farm Bureau’s Director of Governmental Affairs.

We urge all who support their local farmers to join us in voting YES on I-2117 this November. Without your help, food costs will continue to rise and local farms will continue to disappear.