Cap-and-invest emissions reporting
In Washington, businesses that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent per year are required to report their emissions to our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program. The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) builds off of this existing reporting framework, but also has specific emissions reporting requirements unique to the cap-and-invest program.
Training Information
We began trainings for the third-party verification in September 2023, and have since concluded our trainings. Our Third-party verification page has details on trainings and other resources for both reporting entities and verifiers. Starting in 2022, we held trainings on how to complete and submit emissions reports to Ecology. Information about those trainings can be found at the bottom of this page.
Cap-and-invest help desks
For any questions about emissions reporting and verification, please contact GHGReporting@ecy.wa.gov.
For any questions about registering to participate in cap-and-invest auctions and trading, please contact RegistrarCCA@ecy.wa.gov.
For any other questions about the cap-and-invest program, you can direct inquires to the point of contact found at the bottom of this page.
Reporting emissions
Under the CCA, all businesses covered by the cap-and-invest program must report their emissions so that we can track program compliance and emissions-reduction progress over time.
In addition, the Legislature designated three business types — natural gas utilities, electric utilities, and "emissions-intensive, trade-exposed" entities (EITEs) — that receive some of their emissions allowances for free. These businesses must report additional information so that we can determine the number of no cost allowances they should receive.
Emissions data
We recently published emissions data for 2012-2022 that can be found on our Mandatory greenhouse gas reports webpage. This data set includes emissions from new sectors, such as fuel suppliers and electric power entities, which began reporting in 2022. The published data is based on reporting requirements in Chapter 173-441 WAC, that includes a broader range of emissions sources and categories than the cap-and-invest program regulates. As a result, we expect the covered emissions for the cap-and-invest program in 2023 will be substantially lower than reported emissions. The 2023 emissions will be reported in 2024 and represent the first year relevant to the cap-and-invest compliance obligations.
CCA reporting deadlines
In our recent rulemaking, we adopted a series of reporting deadlines that will enable us to analyze the reported data, provide no cost allowances, and track businesses' compliance obligations in a timely manner — keeping Washington on track to acheive total carbon neutrality by 2050.
Emissions reporting trainings and tools
Emissions reporting is the foundation of the cap-and-invest program. In order to help covered businesses complete their reports in a timely and accurate manner, we've provided a series of trainings and reporting tools. These trainings and tools are aimed at specific business sectors that are required to submit reports to the Mandatory GHG Reporting Program.
Our reporting tools are built to help streamline the GHG reporting process.
- Specified source registration reporting tool
- Other fuel supplier reporting tool
- Facility reporting tool
The links above download a .zip file containing an Excel file. Please reach out to GHGReporting@ecy.wa.gov with any questions, requests for assistance, or feedback.
There are currently no trainings scheduled for cap-and-invest emissions reporting or third-party emissions verification.
Other Trainings
Click the Past Trainings tab, to the right, for information about the recent training we held covering how to register for and use the updated GHGReg platform, as well as our specialized reporting trainings for EITEs and fuel suppliers.
To be added to an email list for announcements of upcoming trainings, or if you do not see the training you are looking for, please email GHGReporting@ecy.wa.gov.
The following trainings were held in 2022 and 2023. To request a link to the recording and a copy of the slides for any of these trainings, please email us using the links below.
GHG Registration System Training
In December 2022, we held a training for all GHG reporters covering how to register for and use the updated GHG Registration platform (GHGReg).
This training is strongly recommended for anyone that is required to report emissions under Chapter 173-441 WAC, even if your business already reports or does not have emissions above the 25,000 metric ton threshold for the cap-and-invest program.
EITEs
In August 2022, we hosted an emissions reporting training for EITEs. Industries that fall into this category are outlined in the CCA, and include oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, and large manufacturers.
Fuel Suppliers
In September 2022, we held a training for businesses participating in the cap-and-invest program that supply fuels other than natural gas, such as gasoline, diesel, and propane.
Request the Fuel Supplier training
Introduction to Third-Party Verification for Reporters
In October 2023, we held a training covering how to begin the third-party verification process in the GHGReg platform, what to expect during the verification process, and how to prepare.
Related links
- Focus on: Washington’s climate policies and fuel pricesInterim Guidance on Reporting and Documenting Emissions from Exempt Fuels under the Cap-and-Invest Program: Watercraft, Agricultural, and Aviation Fuels
- Interim Guidance on Reporting and Documenting Emissions from Exempt Fuels under the Cap-and-Invest Program: Transporting Agricultural Products on Public Highways
- Washington Dept. of Ecology Exemption Certificate (Optional)
- Certificado de Exención del Departamento de Ecología del Estado de Washington (Opcional)
Contact information
Lindsey Kennelly
Emissions Reporting and Verification Section Manager
GHGReporting@ecy.wa.gov
360-584-7426