Panel Asks How To Use $9.5 Million Settlement Earmarked For Transportation Projects
State officials want ideas for spending $9.5 million.
Unlike the billions the state will spend this year, this money didn’t come from taxpayers.
Earmarked for transportation projects, the money is part of $112 million paid to Washington and four other states by oil companies accused of price fixing during the gasoline shortage of the mid-1970s. The states’ lawsuit was filed in 1977 and settled in 1994.
The Power Washington Review Committee, the panel charged with deciding how to spend the money, will hold four meetings to ask taxpayers for ideas. A Spokane meeting is scheduled for March 27.
Under the terms of the settlement, the money is earmarked for projects that make commuting safer or more efficient, said David Sjoding, assistant director of the state energy office and a Power Washington committee member.
The money falls short of the need for major projects like Interstate 90’s Sprague Avenue interchange (estimated cost: $15 million); the south Valley arterial ($18 million) or a North Side freeway ($2 billion).
Sjoding said projects more likely to qualify include traffic signal synchronization, sidewalks near schools and efforts to make telecommuting easier.
“There will be plenty of demand” for the money, said Sjoding, adding that individual projects probably will be selected this summer. “We’ll want to make sure the funds are distributed equitably around the whole state.”
Fifteen states joined the federal suit against Chevron, Texaco, Arco and Exxon when it was filed in 1977. All but Washington, California, Oregon and Arizona dropped out before the oil companies settled out of court.
Washington’s share of the settlement was $13.5 million.
About $1.5 million was spent last year providing a demonstration commuter train linking Everett, Seattle and Tacoma. Another $1.1 million went to the state Department of Transportation for highway improvements. Local governments received $1 million for road work and tribal governments will get $400,000.
In addition to Sjoding, the Power Washington Review Committee includes representatives from the League of Women Voters, the state Transportation Department, and the Department of Community, Trade and Economical Development. All of the members are from Western Washington.
The Power Washington Review Committee will host an open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. There is no formal presentation; participants can come any time during those hours.
People can get an information packet and comment sheet by calling 1-800-962-9731. Written comments must be postmarked by April 22.
, DataTimes