SEATTLE, Wash. — Washington state is set to sign a carbon market linkage agreement with California and Québec on June 25, with Gov. Bob Ferguson joining a 1:30 p.m. event in Seattle to mark the move.
Under the linked system, businesses in Washington will be able to use allowances issued by California and Québec to cover emissions and businesses in those jurisdictions could use Washington allowances. The three governments would also hold joint allowance auctions and share a common allowance price.
The Department of Ecology said its findings showed linking would not hurt Washington’s ability to meet emissions-reduction commitments in state law and would reduce compliance costs for covered businesses. It also said the partner programs included provisions intended to benefit vulnerable populations and overburdened communities…