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
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...
Washington Wins!
“Washington Wins!” is a headline that may be bannered tomorrow in purple & gold in Montlake, and in crimson & gray in Pullman. But today’s “Washington Wins!” headline is bright green, in celebration of Green Hydrogen. Today President Biden...
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...
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...
2024 BREW International Blog Awards
Community’s Pick of the Year
Paid for by Clean & Prosperous Washington
PO Box 21961, Seattle, WA 98111
info@cleanprosperouswa.com