Summary:
The Washington Carbon Climate Act has provisions for carbon management to “reduce” carbon reduction requirements for sources regulated by the CCA. Ecology has updated its guidance on allowable carbon management
Details
The CCA currently provides two pathways for carbon capture, removal, utilization, and storage in the Cap-and-Invest Program:
- Permanent sequestration emissions exemption:
- Offsets
The specific pathway that may be leveraged for carbon capture, removal, utilization, and storage projects depends on whether the greenhouse gases involved are classified as covered emissions.
| Emissions reduction or removal approach | Potential Cap-and-Invest Program Pathway |
|---|---|
| Point source carbon capture | Permanent sequestration emissions exemption (covered emissions, 1,000-year permanence standard). Offsets (non-covered emissions, such as biogenic CO2) |
| Carbon dioxide reduction or removal | Offsets (non-covered emissions) |
Permanent Sequestration Pathway
For sequestered carbon dioxide emissions to be eligible for the sequestered carbon dioxide emissions exemption provision, they must:
- Be covered emissions under the Cap-and-Invest Program, as defined in RCW 70A.65.080 and WAC 173-446-040, including being reported under WAC 173-441, as established in the CCA Program Rule, WAC 173-446-040(1)(a).
- Not qualify under another emissions exemption provision defined in WAC 173-446-040(2)
- Meet the requirements indicated in WAC 173-446-040(2)(a)(iii), including anymethodologies, protocols, and/or guidance established by Ecology for demonstrating
- Permanent sequestration, as defined by WAC 173-407-110.
Offsets Pathway
The general requirements for offset credits and their use as compliance instruments can be found in WAC 173-446-500 through WAC 173-446-595. Ecology has currently adopted four compliance offset protocols. These include:
- Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances Protocol, including the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
- U.S. Forest Protocol, including reforestation, avoided conversion, and improved forest management
- Urban Forest Protocol, including planting and maintaining trees in public areas
- Livestock Protocol, including capturing methane on dairy or swine farms
For More InformationThe entire guidance document can be found at: https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/documents/2614091.pdf.