Oil industry anti I-1631 campaign hits $25.87 million, a spending record

The U.S. Oil and Refining Co. facility in Tacoma. Its owner is one of the firms contributing to defeat Initiative 1631, the carbon fee on Washington's November ballot. The U.S. Oil and Refining Co. facility in Tacoma. Its owner is one of the firms contributing to defeat Initiative 1631, the carbon fee on Washington's November ballot. Photo: Ted S. Warren, AP Photo: Ted S. Warren, AP Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Oil industry anti I-1631 campaign hits $25.87 million, a spending record 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

The petroleum industry has set a fundraising record in Washington initiative battles, having taken in $25.87 million in its campaign to defeat Initiative 1631, which would impose a carbon fee on emissions from the state's major polluters.

A $3 million boost in spending is largely due to an influx of cash from BP America, one of the major oil companies operating refineries in the state. Phillips66, formerly the led donor, has given $7.20 million, followed by Andeavor (the former Tesoro) at $4.3 million.

RELATED: Bill Gates -- I'm voting yes on Initiative 1631, the fee on greenhouse gas emissions

Supporters of the carbon fee have raised over $12 million, or half of what Big Oil has put into defeating the measure. Its backers include businesses such as Microsoft, the American Lung Assn., Gov. Jay Inslee, environmentalist and labor leaders.

The latest infusion to the "Yes" side is a $1 million donation from former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has donated $1 million.

RELATED: Oil refiners, soft drink makers in 'Shock and Awe' initiative spending in Washington

The "No" campaign has spent more than $94,000 on polling with Moore Information, the Northwest's leading pollster for Republican candidates. It has paid $106,870 to Communication Analytics for "Ad Testing," testing TV pitches.

The most-aired No-on-1631 TV spot features former state Attorney General (and 2012 Republican gubernatorial candidate) Rob McKenna. The spot has McKenna talking about consumer protection. It does not mention that he is now an attorney for Chevron.

RELATED: Big Soda pours another $7 million into I-1634 campaign

The states are high.

If I-1631 passes, Washington would be the first state in America to enact a so-called "polluters pay" fee on carbon emissions.

The oil industry does not want it to happen.