Chapter 173-441 WAC

On February 9, 2022, Ecology updated Chapter 173-441 WAC, Reporting of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases, as directed by Section 33 of the Climate Commitment Act.

This rule:

• Adds natural gas suppliers, carbon dioxide suppliers, and electric power entities to the existing greenhouse gas reporting program.
• Replaces the existing transportation fuel supplier program with a program that is compatible with the Climate Commitment Act.
• Updates greenhouse gas reporting requirements to support the Climate Commitment Act and facilitates program linkage with other jurisdictions.
• Adds program elements to support the verification of greenhouse gas reporting data.
• Modifies administrative provisions, such as deadlines and greenhouse gas reporting fees.
• Includes requirements necessary to support the above items, the overall objectives of the statute or chapter, or the goals of the Climate Commitment Act. 
• Makes administrative changes for correction or clarification.

In May 2021, the governor signed the Climate Commitment Act which established a cap-and-invest program to help Washington meet greenhouse gas limits by 2050. About 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions included in the new cap-and-invest program are not reported or are reported using methods that conflict with the Climate Commitment Act. Ecology will create a reporting system that complies with the Climate Commitment Act.