Cap-and-Invest carbon capture, removal, utilization, and storage

Businesses subject to the Cap-and-Invest Program can use carbon management as a part of their decarbonization strategy by exempting some of their emissions from being covered by the program or by purchasing offset credits that are generated by carbon management projects.

We’re working to provide clarity on how carbon management fits within the Cap-and-Invest Program. This will be a multi-year effort, with public engagement that began in Spring 2026.

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What is carbon management?

Carbon management is an umbrella term for a variety of technologies and practices that prevent carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere or remove carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere after release.

While not a replacement for other emissions reduction measures, carbon management is a tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions where other pathways are not available and for helping remove historical carbon dioxide emissions.

Point source carbon capture and storage

Point source carbon capture and storage (or sequestration), known as CCS, involves capturing carbon dioxide before it’s released into the atmosphere from stationary sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities. The captured carbon dioxide is then permanently stored through methods such as geologic sequestration or mineralization.

For captured point source emissions to be exempt from coverage under the Cap-and-Invest Program, they must meet the requirements specified in WAC 173-446-040. This includes ensuring that captured carbon dioxide will not be released into the atmosphere for at least 1,000 years (WAC 173-407-110).

Carbon dioxide removal

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is defined under the CCA (RCW 70A.65.010) as deliberate human activities that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and durably store it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs, or in products.

Ecology has existing protocols for carbon dioxide removal under its Cap-and-Invest offset program and regularly updates these protocols based on the best available science and public input.

Two common classifications of carbon dioxide removal include:

Carbon capture and utilization

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) involves using captured carbon dioxide in materials, energy sources, or other value-added applications. Captured carbon dioxide can be used as a substitute for fossil-based carbon in products such as building materials, plastics, chemicals, and fuels. In some products, utilized carbon dioxide may even be durably and permanently stored.

Background documents

Carbon Dioxide Removal Evaluation Study (2025 report to the legislature)
Carbon dioxide removal project standards analysis (2023 report)
Geologic Carbon Sequestration (2021 fact sheet prepared by the Washington Geological Survey)

Stay involved in the process

Join our public engagement process on carbon management under the Cap-and-Invest Program, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage and technology-based carbon dioxide removal.

Attend a public meeting

There are no public meetings scheduled at this time.

Past meetings

Carbon management under the Cap-and-Invest Program (May 21, 2026): We sought input about carbon capture, utilization, and storage, as well as technology-based carbon dioxide removal in the Cap-and-Invest Program and in Washington. Watch the recording and view the presentation.
Cap-and-Invest: Permanent sequestration emissions exemption (May 28, 2026): We discussed the permanent sequestration emissions exemption pathway included in WAC 173-446-040 for long-term geologic sequestration and long-lived mineralization. Watch the recording and view the presentation.

Provide comments

We’re not seeking feedback at this time. We sought input from May to June 2026 to help inform near and long-term priorities related to engineered carbon management under the Cap-and-Invest Program. Read comments.

Stay updated

Contact information

Cap-and-Invest carbon management team
CCA_carboncapture@ecy.wa.gov

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