Climate Commitment Act
History
History
The Climate Commitment Act stands as a remarkable example of effective state-level policy aimed at mitigating climate pollution and fostering a fair and sustainable future.
Back in 2021, Washington State took a pioneering step by passing the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a groundbreaking cap-and-invest legislation. This forward-looking law places a gradual limit on climate-warming emissions and allocates resources to implement solutions that promote equity, prosperity, and resilience across the state. Working hand-in-hand with other robust state policies, the CCA is projected to achieve an impressive 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. Moreover, it fosters stronger consultations with tribal nations, enhances air quality and environmental justice, bolsters climate-focused initiatives, and bolsters the state’s economy.
The journey toward passing the CCA holds valuable insights that can be adapted by other states seeking to address climate change. Prior to this achievement, numerous attempts to implement carbon pricing had faltered over the course of more than a decade. However, the CCA triumphed with the collective backing of a diverse coalition of stakeholders, representing a broad spectrum of interests within the state. This inclusive collaboration ensured that the law not only met science-based emission reduction targets but also brought about positive co-benefits for Washington’s environment, businesses, and marginalized communities.
Bipartisan Roots & State Leadership
Cap-and-Trade was first deployed by the George H. W. Bush administration to successfully – and efficiently – combat acid rain.
Charles Tasnadi / AP Images
Could it work as well on the climate crisis?
California was the first state to put Cap-and-Trade to work on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Results there show targets achieved ahead of schedule, with a healthy economy.
Now, just as we in Washington state followed California’s lead but improved upon their program, we anticipate other states will follow our lead. Already, the state of New York is beginning the process of implementing a similar Cap-and-Invest system. California is considering improvements to their system by referencing Washington’s CCA.
Honored to stand w/ @JerryBrownGov he signs extension of cap & trade where we launched the program 11 years ago - a great bipartisan bill. pic.twitter.com/Xf91TbZXjX
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 25, 2017
How to win the future
Not long before his passing, our founder, David Giuliani, shared an excellent essay by Tomas Pueyo subtitled, How to Predict the Future and Make the Most of It. As a serial entrepreneur, David was adept at seeing the future and getting out front to...
Track your investments
Revenues raised from Washington’s cap-and-invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA) are invested in projects and programs that benefit communities across the state. These are investments that will pay dividends to you in the form of lower costs for...
Auto Draft
Take the wheel
Or rather, the mouse. Or the track pad… Instead of asking you to read another newsletter about climate change and clean energy, we'd like to put you in the driver’s seat to explore three interactive tools that are both fascinating and useful:...
Flames atop the Space Needle
Did you know? During the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle had a 40-foot-tall natural-gas-powered “torch” burning on the mast at the top. The Space Needle, early 1962. Note the flames coming from the antenna; the Needle was equipped with natural...
I-2117 would take Washington backward
Today, Initiative 2117, which seeks to repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), crossed a hurdle in its race to turn back the clock on climate policy. It qualified as an initiative to the Legislature and will most likely be on the ballot in...
Grist: Washington’s cap on carbon is raising billions for climate action. Can it survive the backlash?
What’s the opposite of “backlash”? Whatever the word, that’s our charge for 2024. And as we share more with Washingtonians about the benefits of the Climate Commitment Act, this article from Grist is worthwhile reading, especially this...
Grist: Washington’s cap on carbon is raising billions for climate action. Can it survive the backlash?
A repeal initiative blaming the state's climate law for higher gas prices could wind up on the ballot in November. “If we are concerned about the cost of transportation for Washington businesses and residents, we have to keep our focus away from...
Here comes the sun
Having passed the winter solstice, we can sing along with George Harrison and celebrate that the sun will be with us a bit longer each day going forward. And now that… Solar energy is the cheapest option for new electric generation almost...
Seattle Times: WA raises estimated $1.8 billion in first year of carbon market
"Washington state has raised an estimated $1.8 billion through the sale of allowances to polluting businesses at carbon auctions this year. "The state Department of Ecology announced Wednesday the results of its last quarterly auction of the year....
Press Release: 4TH CCA AUCTION RAISES CRITICAL FUNDS FOR STATEWIDE CLIMATE PROGRAMS
(Seattle, WA) December 13, 2023 – On the same day the world has committed to transition away from fossil fuels at COP28, the state’s leading climate policy, the Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA), generated another half billion dollars to...
“The future ain’t what it used to be”
Yogi Berra was right. “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Though he may have been thinking about baseball, he could very well have been referring to clean energy. On the same day that the world committed to transition away from fossil fuels at...
Don’t put the brakes on our clean economy
On the same day the United Nations warned that global greenhouse gasses are the highest ever recorded, opponents of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act have taken another step in their effort to fossilize the status quo and repeal the CCA. Governor...
Seattle Times: Opponents of WA climate law file signatures to repeal it
“This is not the time to put the brakes on Washington’s premier and effective climate policy that is backed by businesses, labor, tribes, community groups and environmental organizations. It is not the time to deny the clear scientific evidence...
STATEMENT FROM CLEAN & PROSPEROUS WA ON THE EFFORT TO REPEAL THE CLIMATE COMMITMENT ACT
“The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) has been in place for just over 10 months. This is not the time to put the brakes on Washington’s premier and effective climate policy that is backed by businesses, labor, tribes, community groups, and...
You’re invited (maybe)
If your organization operates trucks, fuels trucks, insures trucks, owns trucks, sells trucks, services trucks… really, has anything at all to do with trucks of any size or shape, please read on: Wednesday at noon, you’re invited to a free webinar...
Cleaner, cheaper, faster
Replacing a fossil-fueled vehicle with a zero-emission EV brings greater savings to drivers in Washington state than anywhere else in the country. And because replacing a combustion vehicle with an EV benefits not only the driver but all of us, we...
Hot off the press
The Cap-and-Invest Linkage Criteria: Preliminary Analysis Report has been published by the Washington State Department of Ecology: Per the Department of Ecology’s Climate Commitment Act Implementation Group, “This report includes background on...
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WA’s Transportation Electrification Strategy
The State of Washington recently released a draft strategy for electrifying Washington’s transportation sector. On-road vehicles account for 58% of transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions in our state, generating over 23 million metric tons...
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