State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach,” which could upend Washington state’s controversial Climate Commitment Act (CCA), also known as cap-and-trade.

“President Trump’s executive action is a critical step toward reining in extreme, unconstitutional and costly climate policies like Washington’s cap-and-trade scheme,” Fortunato said. “The Climate Commitment Act has been nothing short of a hidden tax on working families and small businesses. When it was first adopted, I called it a crony-capitalist shell game and the results have proven that. It drives up gas prices, utility bills, and the cost of living, all while doing virtually nothing to help the environment.”

The executive order directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and take legal action against state laws that burden domestic energy use, including policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions or collecting carbon penalties. The Department of Justice is expected to prioritize enforcement against state-level climate change policies and submit a report to the president within 60 days.

“Washington’s cap-and-trade law was designed to punish energy use and force compliance with an extreme environmental agenda that voters never approved,” Fortunato added. “The president is right—energy policy should not be dictated by the radical policies of a few coastal states. It’s time to put Washington working families first.”

Fortunato has been a vocal opponent of the CCA since its passage, warning that it disproportionately impacts rural communities and low-income residents.