Article contributed and written by Catherine Stanford, BOMA's Local Legislative Consultant

Seattle City Councilmember Lewis Considering Carbon Excise Tax Elements

Tax Would Apply Only to Carbon Emissions from Commercial Buildings

Councilmember Lewis is beginning to hold meetings to discuss the implementation of a Carbon Tax in Seattle. The tax would apply only to carbon emissions from commercial buildings. This is following his Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) made during the Council’s budget process last year. The SLI includes a request that the Office of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Constructions, Department of Finance and Administrative Services, and Budget Office collaborate with Councilmember Lewis to draft legislation.

Elements of the legislation would include carbon emissions thresholds, tax rates, potential exemptions, use of tax proceeds. Development of the proposal is anticipated to occur throughout the first quarter of 2021, with the goal of having legislation ready for Council consideration by June 30, 2021.

There are no specific details about how the tax would be implemented available at this time. Councilmember Lewis represents District 7, including downtown, where most commercial properties in Seattle are located. This tax would come on the heels of the update to the Energy Code, which already added additional costs to operating commercial buildings in downtown Seattle. 

Your advocacy team will be working with Councilmember Lewis and City departments to educate them about the impacts of additional costs, the value that commercial buildings bring to the city, and the public safety conditions that have impacted our members.