California has largely been “going it alone” on major climate policy, specifically the state’s carbon trading program through cap and trade. But the election today in Washington and Oregon could change that dynamic and possibly usher in a West Coast climate bloc of states willing to tackle carbon directly.

First up, a Washington state ballot initiative (1631) would institute a “carbon fee” that would generate roughly $2.2 billion in its first five years. The money would be spent on carbon-reducing projects like public-transit, energy efficiency retrofits, and new renewable facilities. It would also fund forest and stream projects.

Given the negative impact on the fossil fuel industry, it’s become hotly contested, per E&E News [paywalled]:

In Washington, the ballot initiative calling for an escalating carbon fee is now the most expensive in state history. More than $47 million has been raised for the contest, with oil interests dumping roughly $30 million into opposition to the measure. Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, along with former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, have donated $1 million to the yes campaign.

If it passes, it would be the country’s first carbon tax, as a complement to California’s trading program (which functions as a de facto carbon price based on the price of the carbon allowances auctioned to polluters).

Meanwhile, Oregon has a chance to enact its own cap-and-trade program next year, as I blogged this summer after attending a legislative gathering at the Oregon coast. But it hinges on the current governor, Kate Brown, winning re-election today against a tough Republican challenger, funded in part by Nike founder Phil Knight. If she wins and it passes next year, Oregon could potentially link their program to California’s.

So while most of the nation focuses today on the critical congressional elections, climate policy could take a major step forward in these state races. As the federal government experiences division and inaction in the face of the climate threat, multi-state coalitions like along the Pacific Coast could represent a promising step forward to achieve real national progress.