Berkeley Voters Reject Natural Gas Tax Measure

In a series of recent ballot initiatives, voters in several states addressed significant environmental measures. Berkeley, California, overwhelmingly rejected Measure GG, which proposed a tax on natural gas usage in larger buildings, with 68% of voters against it, despite a local push for greener policies. Meanwhile, California voters approved Proposition 4, creating a $10 billion bond for climate projects aimed at water improvement and wildfire prevention. In Washington state, residents upheld their climate policy by rejecting Initiative 2117, which sought to repeal the state's Climate Commitment Act, reflecting a strong preference for clean air and water. The outcome in Berkeley highlights ongoing tensions between environmental advocacy and economic concerns, as critics of the tax argued it could harm businesses. Overall, these decisions illustrate a complex landscape of climate policy and voter sentiment across the U.S.