First-in-Nation Carbon Fee Appears Headed for Defeat

Major emitters of greenhouse gases in Washington state—including BP Plc, Phillips 66 Co., and Andeavor—can breathe more easily with the likely defeat of a ballot measure that would have put a price on emissions.

The companies outspent supporters of the carbon fee by about 2:1, collectively contributing the overwhelming majority of the $31.3 million in the most expensive initiative campaign in state history. The ballot measure, known as I-1631, would have been the first such direct fee or tax on carbon in the nation passed by voters.

The ballot measure was drafted by a broad coalition composed ...