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
What would Wilma and Betty drive?
It seems when it comes to cars, Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble had the right idea: ”CHARGE… it !!!” Powering vehicles with electricity is EVER* more efficient than with gasoline. Over 4 times more efficient! EVs convert over 77% of the...
Surging ahead
Yesterday was a milestone on the road to cheaper, cleaner transportation, as we drive toward a more prosperous economy for all of us. The Climate Commitment Act (CCA), recognized as the Gold Standard for climate policy in the US, raises revenue...
Seattle Times: WA’s carbon-pricing auctions collect nearly $1.5 billion as allowances reach record price
The price of Washington’s carbon emission allowances reached an all-time high in the state’s fourth auction last week, with revenues from the program nearing $1.5 billion in its first year. The revenue has far outpaced early estimates, and now a...
Mapping our way to cheaper, cleaner driving
Results from the state’s 3rd auction of emission allowances under the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) were just announced, and per the Department of Ecology, all 8,585,000 of available allowances were sold, at a settlement price of $63.03. This...
Press Release: GROUP URGENTLY CALLS FOR LOWER TRANSPORTATION COSTS
(Seattle, WA) September 6, 2023 –On the same day results from Washington state’s third greenhouse gas allowance auction are being released, Clean & Prosperous WA urgently called for increased incentives for the purchase of zero emission...
Do Climate Commitment Act allowance prices get passed through to the pump?
While it's too soon to draw strong conclusions, given historically high gas prices there is considerable interest in discerning how much the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) contributes to prices paid by consumers at the gas pump. Clean and Prosperous...
Back to School, Part 3
How can you scroll past a headline like that? The New York Times reports that “New Jersey is the first state to require that climate change be taught at all grade levels. The focus is on problem solving, not doom and gloom.” “Tammy Murphy, the wife...
Back to School, Part 2
The Fall semester is already finishing its second week at Washington State University. As they hustle between classes, the Engineering students may have Additive Manufacturing in their backpacks, while Ag students carry Agricultural Cybernetics and...
Back to School, Part 1
Accelerating the transition to a clean, globally competitive economy is a job for governments and businesses, as well as non-profits, communities, and individuals. As students head back to school, let’s consider the role of universities. Bryan...
Celebrating the Investment Reverberation Act
Sure, inflation has been reduced from 8.3% to 3.2% since the passage a year ago of the “Inflation Reduction Act” (IRA). But the intended purpose of the IRA was bigger than short-term inflation reduction. Its impact on the economy and the climate...
Background for today’s APCR Auction
An Allowance Price Containment Reserve (APCR) auction is being held under Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) today, August 9th from 10am to 1pm. By definition, the APCR is “an account maintained by Ecology with allowances available...
Press Release: GOV’T, SOCIAL JUSTICE & BIZ LEADERS JOIN CAPWA BOARD
Seattle, WA – August 4, 2023 - With an ongoing commitment to lowering Washington state’s carbon emissions by working closely with business and social justice advocates, Clean & Prosperous Washington (CaPWA) announced the additions of Former...
Carlyle, Sardinas, Wolf join Board of Directors
When David Giuliani founded our organization, he wanted to welcome a diversity of voices bringing a variety of perspectives. It’s in that spirit that we welcome three new members to our Board of Directors:Reuven Carlyle Architect of the Climate...
Hop on the bus…
…and come with us on a pioneering cross-country road trip. This week an all-electric double-decker bus will embark on a cross-country trip from Newark, CA to Winter Garden, FL, powering up exclusively at public chargers along the way. You can join...
Washington’s next notable export
Airplanes, apples… climate policy! The Climate Commitment Act, part of a suite of climate policies enacted here in Washington state, has been described as “the new gold standard for other states to follow”. As other states follow, we’re working to...
Celebrating energy independence
This week, as we think about freedom and independence, we can celebrate the progress we’re making in Washington state toward energy independence and freedom from fossil fuels. We can all agree that we spend too much money putting gas in our cars...
Driving down the cost of driving
Did you know? Driving an EV saves more money in Washington than in any other state, compared to driving a gas car. Switching to an EV will save over $3.00 per gasoline gallon equivalent, according to a Clean & Prosperous Institute analysis. In...
Growing jobs in rural Washington
Why is so much climate tech taking root in small towns and rural counties? This excellent piece in GeekWire notes there are “many burgeoning climate and clean tech companies landing in Washington’s rural towns and smaller cities, energizing their...
2nd CCA auction results released
The landmark Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which went into effect in January of this year, held its second quarterly “emissions allowance auction,” on May 31 with revenues revealed June 7 for climate-resilience programs, and clean...
Seattle Times: WA’s second greenhouse-gas-allowance auction raises over $500M
Washington’s second auction of greenhouse-gas pollution allowances last week raised more than half a billion dollars. The Department of Ecology announced Wednesday it had sold almost 8.6 million 2023 allowances and roughly 2.5 million 2026...
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