Leonardo DiCaprio Gets Involved In I-1631 Debate

OLYMPIA, WA - An initiative to tax carbon emissions in Washington got a boost from Leonardo DiCaprio on Thursday. The "Titanic" star tweeted about I-1631, urging voters to support the initiative.

"I-1631 is Washington State's answer to regressive climate policies at the federal level," DiCaprio wrote on Twitter. Outside of the film industry, DiCaprio has been a major environmental activist, funding efforts through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

Under I-1631, major carbon emitters would pay a fee until the state reduces its carbon emissions to pre-1990 levels. Proceeds from the carbon tax would go toward environmental cleanup, helping residents make efficiency upgrades at home, and to install green energy sources like solar and wind.

A group of oil companies have raised over $20 million to oppose the measure. The no on I-1631 campaign is warning that consumer will pay the bulk of the carbon tax due to energy producers off-loading the cost.

A recent Crosscut/Elway poll found that 50 percent of voters favor I-1631, with about 14 percent undecided.

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