Chapter 173-446 WAC – Cap-and-Invest Offsets
We propose to update Chapter 173-446 WAC, Climate Commitment Act Program Rule. This rulemaking may consider amendments to address new and revised cap-and-invest offset protocols, including WAC 173-446-505 and WAC 173-446-580.
Offsets are projects or programs designed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In the Cap-and-Invest Program, offset projects must also provide direct environmental benefits to Washington. Offsets allow businesses to balance out the negative impacts of their emissions by funding a project that benefits the environment, such as capturing methane on dairy farms or planting trees in urban areas.
This proposed rulemaking updates the ozone depleting substances (ODS) protocol and will increase technical standards, decrease obstacles to project development, and reflect policy advances. We have entered the second phase of this rulemaking which opens the formal public comment period.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Sept. 12, 2023
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
Sept. 12, 2023 – Early 2025Public input & involvement
We plan to hold public meetings to provide information about the rulemaking and seek your input. We'll update this page with meeting specifics. To get updates about these meetings and this rulemaking, join our email list.
Draft rule language (most recent)
Public comment period (informal)
Nov. 9, 2023, at midnight – Sept. 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Read comments about which offset protocols should be revised or added, and about the scope of this rulemaking.
Public comment period (informal)
Oct. 1, 2024, at noon – Oct. 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Read comments about the draft rule language and considered revisions to the ODS protocol.
Rule proposal phase (CR-102)
Feb. 12, 2025
- Proposal notice – CR-102 form
- Proposed rule language
- Preliminary Regulatory Analyses
- Proposed compliance offset protocol
- SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) and Environmental Checklist
Comment period
Comments are due by April 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m. You can submit comments in the following ways:
- Submit comments online starting Feb. 12, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. until April 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Mail to:
Kayla Stevenson
For standard US Mail-
Department of Ecology
Climate Pollution Reduction
Kayla Stevenson
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
For Parcel Service-
Department of Ecology
Climate Pollution Reduction
Kayla Stevenson
300 Desmond Dr SE
Lacey, WA 98503
- Attend a public hearing – see below
The public hearings will begin with a short presentation and question and answer session, followed by the opportunity to provide testimony.
Dates: March 25, 2025, 1 p.m.
March 27, 2025 9 a.m.
Location: online (webinar)
Register for the webinar to get your meeting ID and passcode.
To hear the webinar better or to call in only, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 253‑215‑8782.
Accessibility: To request ADA accommodation, contact Ecology’s ADA Coordinator by March 18, 2025 at:
- Phone: 360-407-6831 (voice)
- TTY: 877-833-6341 or 711 relay service
- Email: ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov
Related links
Contact information
Kayla Stevenson
Environmental Planner
kayla.stevenson@ecy.wa.gov
360-972-0313
Stay informed
Join our email list
Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.