DUVALL — United States House candidate and Arlington resident John Koster was recently applauded by an organization for “opposing legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”

Koster, a Snohomish County Councilman who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen to represent Washington’s 2nd Congressional District, was commended by Americans for Prosperity in a May 10 statement for signing the organization’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.”

Koster joins more than 500 candidates and lawmakers to sign the pledge, according to officials.

“The one thing elected officials should be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn’t be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses,” said Kirby Wilbur, Washington state director for Americans for Prosperity.

The national organization, which has more than 900,000 members, believes in reducing the size and scope of government, according to the release.

That includes opposing the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a Congressional energy that was approved by the House last June and has been supported by President Barack Obama.

The organization is calling the act, which proposes a cap and trade system on greenhouse gases, “the largest tax increase in American history.”