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 Reporting Program. The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) builds off this existing reporting framework, but it 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 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 we can determine the number of no-cost allowances they should receive.
Emissions data
We recently published emissions data for 2012-2022 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, which 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 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
Our reporting tools are built to help streamline the greenhouse gas emissions reporting process.
- Specified source registration reporting tool
- Other fuel supplier reporting tool
- Facility reporting tool
- Electric power entity (EPE) 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 trainings.
To be added to our email list for announcements of upcoming trainings, or if you don't see the training you're looking for, please email GHGReporting@ecy.wa.gov.
The following trainings were held in 2022 and 2023. To access the trainings, please follow the links below. If the training you're looking for isn't here, please email us.
Greenhouse Gas Registration system training
In December 2022, we held a training for all greenhouse gas reporters covering how to register for and use the updated Greenhouse Gas Registration platform.
This training is strongly recommended for anyone required to report emissions under Chapter 173-441 WAC, even if your business already reports or doesn't have emissions above the 25,000-metric-ton threshold for the Cap-and-Invest Program.
Facilities
In February 2023, we held a training for facility reporters, providing a step-by-step walk-through of our tool we provide to facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
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
Ecology regulates both natural gas suppliers and suppliers of fuel other than natural gas.
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.
EPEs
In August 2022, we recorded an emissions reporting training for Electric Power Entities (EPE) that provides an overview of EPE Reporting and a walk-through of the EPE Reporting Tool.
Introduction to third-party verification for reporters
In October and September of 2023, we held a trainings covering how to begin the third-party verification process in the Greenhouse Gas Registration platform, what to expect during the verification process, and how to prepare.
- Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Registration for verifiers training
- Tips for a successful third-party verification
Related links
- Focus on: Washington’s climate policies and fuel prices
- Interim 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)