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
Climate Commitments in the Budget Packages Passed on Sine Die
This session, Clean & Prosperous Washington worked closely with the Legislature to ensure that - despite this challenging budget environment - we continued investing in our climate and clean energy commitments. During difficult financial...
Update on Priority Climate and Clean Energy Legislation
Clean & Prosperous Washington is providing an update on the major legislation we are tracking this session in Olympia. This issue focuses on bill progress as we await the release of updated budget packages. Here’s where the key bills we’re...
Say ‘No’ to an Attempt to Undermine WA’s Leadership on Climate Action
On Tuesday, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at undoing states’ ability to fight climate change and advance a clean energy economy. The co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance - a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors - came out in...
House and Senate Release Proposed 2025-2027 Capital Budgets
On Monday, the House and Senate released their proposed 2025-2027 capital budgets. The House proposes $7.6 billion in total spending, including $299 million in new Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funds. The Senate proposes $7.3 billion, including $391...
House and Senate Release Proposed Transportation Budgets
On Monday, the House and Senate each released their proposed 2025-2027 Operating and Transportation budgets. This newsletter will focus on the proposed transportation budgets, which include notable amounts of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. ...
Climate Bills Advance, the Case for Electric Trucks, and More
Climate Bills Move Out of House of Origin It has been a busy week in Olympia as policymakers worked to advance legislation before the house of origin cutoff on Wednesday. Clean & Prosperous Washington (CaPWA) congratulates the Legislature for...
What the First CCA Auction of 2025 Means
The results of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Auction #9 were released today by the Washington State Department of Ecology. At the first auction of 2025, allowances sold at $50.00 each and 7.34 million allowances were sold, of which 2.75 million...
Mid-Session Legislative Update
Last November, Washington voters issued a resounding endorsement of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). That victory - which outperformed almost all other statewide candidates and initiatives - proves that Washington state residents and businesses...
Trucks can deliver clean air
Trucks – medium- and heavy-duty vehicles – account for a disproportionate share of emissions. Per Climate Solutions, in Washington state diesel trucks, buses and delivery vans are only about 10% of vehicles on the road, yet they account for “30% of...
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Congratulations for subscribing to this award-winning newsletter! Competing against Rolling Stone, Esquire, Gizmodo and others, Clean & Prosperous Washington has won the 2024 BREW International Blog Award! Alongside the Harvard Business...
Press Release: Clean & Prosperous Washington Wins Community’s Pick of the Year in 2024 BREW International Blog Awards
Seattle, WA, January 2025 – Clean & Prosperous Washington has been honored as the Community’s Pick of the Year in the 2024 BREW International Blog Awards. This prestigious recognition celebrates the organization’s exceptional digital platform...
The higher you climb, the better the view
The higher you climb, the better the view. Together with you, we scaled great heights this past year, and the views behind and ahead are spectacular. Looking back, we see Governor Jay Inslee headlining the Clean & Prosperous Institute’s Future...
Results of last week’s CCA carbon auction were announced today
Following a resounding election victory, December’s auction shows the Climate Commitment Act continues to work for Washington families and businesses. December’s Regular Auction #8 sold out at an average price of $37.15 across the full volume of...
Stronger than ever
Thank you – for all you did to help defeat I-2117. It was a team effort, and each of you, whether playing offense, defense, or special teams… whether a grizzled veteran of political campaigns or a green rookie, played an indispensable role in this...
How will economists vote?
The Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is 82 pages long, with hundreds if not thousands of pages of administrative rules. Carefully crafted by legislators over many years, it is now subject to repeal by voters who are tasked with assessing...
Press Release: Nearly 30 Leading Economists Sign Open Letter Opposing Washington State’s Initiative 2117 & Warning of Its Costs to State
SEATTLE, WA – Nearly 30 leading economists have signed an open letter opposing Initiative 2117 and warning of its costs to Washington state, arguing that by repealing the state’s market-based cap-and-invest program, I-2117 would force the state to...
WA is a swing state?!?
When it comes to the issue of climate, Washington state actually is a swing state. You may be feeling envious of voters in Pennsylvania and Georgia who are getting all the campaign attention this year, so having ballot power on a significant issue...
What is the state of innovation?
Washington is the state of innovation. And what’s the state of innovation in Washington state? Thanks in part to the Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA), our state is a leader in creating the clean energy future. Why “in part”? U.S....
Tri-City Herald: Are initiatives on WA ballots worth it? Here’s how much cash they brought to Tri-Cities
Two controversial Washington state initiatives have returned more than $150 million to the Tri-Cities this budget cycle for energy research and to help children. As political pressure ramps up to convince voters whether Washington’s capital gains...
The Stranger’s Endorsements for the November 5, 2024 General Election
Initiative Measure No. 2117NoThis initiative would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and prohibit the state from ever implementing a similar law, cutting billions of dollars in funding for transit programs, ferries, clean energy projects, air...
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