Climate Commitment Act
History
History
The Climate Commitment Act stands as a remarkable example of effective state-level policy aimed at mitigating climate pollution and fostering a fair and sustainable future.
Back in 2021, Washington State took a pioneering step by passing the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a groundbreaking cap-and-invest legislation. This forward-looking law places a gradual limit on climate-warming emissions and allocates resources to implement solutions that promote equity, prosperity, and resilience across the state. Working hand-in-hand with other robust state policies, the CCA is projected to achieve an impressive 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. Moreover, it fosters stronger consultations with tribal nations, enhances air quality and environmental justice, bolsters climate-focused initiatives, and bolsters the state’s economy.
The journey toward passing the CCA holds valuable insights that can be adapted by other states seeking to address climate change. Prior to this achievement, numerous attempts to implement carbon pricing had faltered over the course of more than a decade. However, the CCA triumphed with the collective backing of a diverse coalition of stakeholders, representing a broad spectrum of interests within the state. This inclusive collaboration ensured that the law not only met science-based emission reduction targets but also brought about positive co-benefits for Washington’s environment, businesses, and marginalized communities.
Bipartisan Roots & State Leadership
Cap-and-Trade was first deployed by the George H. W. Bush administration to successfully – and efficiently – combat acid rain.
Charles Tasnadi / AP Images
Could it work as well on the climate crisis?
California was the first state to put Cap-and-Trade to work on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Results there show targets achieved ahead of schedule, with a healthy economy.
Now, just as we in Washington state followed California’s lead but improved upon their program, we anticipate other states will follow our lead. Already, the state of New York is beginning the process of implementing a similar Cap-and-Invest system. California is considering improvements to their system by referencing Washington’s CCA.
Honored to stand w/ @JerryBrownGov he signs extension of cap & trade where we launched the program 11 years ago - a great bipartisan bill. pic.twitter.com/Xf91TbZXjX
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 25, 2017
Are ferries sailing into the Bermuda Triangle?
Though Washington State Ferries is the biggest ferry system in North America, few would currently describe it as the best. Over the past several years, vessel and staff shortages have left passengers stranded as scheduled sailings have been delayed...
The Seattle Times: Northwest sizzle a reminder of need to confront a changing climate
... [The Climate Commitment Act is] funding initiatives that help residents stay cool on hotter days: Urban tree canopy projects to break up hot pavement, heat pump installations for lower-income Washingtonians and cooling centers in communities,...
Gas prices sag as demand drops
Though other factors – such as the whims of OPEC – have greater impact on the whipsaw ups and downs of price points at the pump, customer demand is a factor too, as the current dip in prices proves. According to the AAA, depressed demand accounts...
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Nope. Not going to do it. On this National Cheese Day (go ahead and look it up), your inbox may be full of emails with silly headlines like “Say Cheese!” or “It’s a Brie-utiful Day!” or “Gouda Morning!”. Our message today is too important to be...
Everett Herald: Comment: Passing I-2117 would blast hole in transportation fixes
By Sen. Marko Liias and Rep. Jake Fey "Here’s the reality: Before I-2117 we were facing a $5 billion to $6 billion challenge to finish projects, maintain our roads and fulfill our obligation to remove salmon-blocking culverts. If passed, I-2117...
Is it reasonable to be “unreasonably enthusiastic”?
When Governor Jay Inslee spoke at the Clean & Prosperous Institute’s Future of Carbon Policy Forum, he expressed his “unreasonable enthusiasm” for our state’s growing clean energy economy. He also spoke enthusiastically about the state’s...
E&E News: Battle over Washington’s carbon market hinges on gasoline prices
Download | Full ScreenClean & Prosperous Washington is a project of the Washington...
What is the cost of climate action?
That is a trick question. Climate action doesn’t cost – it pays. Deloitte says “this once-in-a-generation transformation could result in $3 trillion (in present-value terms) added to the U.S. economy over the next 50 years”. According to the...
‘Every part of this soil is sacred’: Restore respect for our shared home
This Earth Day, nothing we could say would be better worth your time to read, than this Seattle Times op-ed written by Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe:For thousands of years, our ancestors managed this region’s landscape based on...
No on 2117 is building No-mentum
The No on 2117 campaign launched today, and already has over 100 organizations signed on in support, and over $11 million in donations and pledges. Because Clean & Prosperous Washington recognizes how well the Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment...
Just No This
Your November ballot will include choices for president, governor, school board, and… clean air? Who is running against clean air?! Initiative 2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) which establishes a Cap-and-Invest program to reduce...
Let’s play “The Price is Right”
One thing we can all agree on is that carbon emissions impose a cost beyond the smokestack. Air pollution from carbon emissions leads to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, asthma, and premature mortality. The health costs of air...
Dollars & sense
Thanks to the Climate Commitment Act, it’s no longer free to pollute in Washington state. But was it ever? As they say, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Everything has a price, and that price must be paid by someone. Historically we’ve paid...
Advancing policy solutions to power a clean economy
At the top of our homepage, it says “Advancing policy solutions to power a clean economy”. Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee signed three policy solutions passed by the legislature that will help power a clean economy. We especially want to thank...
Auction Results: Climate Commitment Act working in the face of rising uncertainty
The March 6th Auction results were published today by Ecology. The final settlement price of $25.76 was down substantially from last year's 3rd Regular Auction peak, settling at $1.74 above the price floor. This relative price decline closely...
Seattle Times: WA lawmakers rush to show climate act’s value before it goes to ballot
“One of the things that’s hard is getting money out the door,” said Mann, of Clean and Prosperous. “A lot of this is competitive grants that take time, and a lot of them are construction projects. Building EV charging stations doesn’t happen...
Fast Company: Why this hedge fund manager is spending $6 million to kill Washington’s landmark tax and climate bills
The Climate Commitment Act not only protects our air and our forests and our waters by capping pollution, it provides the engine for investing in our clean energy transition,” says Michael Mann, executive director of advocacy group Clean &...
How to win the future
Not long before his passing, our founder, David Giuliani, shared an excellent essay by Tomas Pueyo subtitled, How to Predict the Future and Make the Most of It. As a serial entrepreneur, David was adept at seeing the future and getting out front to...
Track your investments
Revenues raised from Washington’s cap-and-invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA) are invested in projects and programs that benefit communities across the state. These are investments that will pay dividends to you in the form of lower costs for...
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