Environment group seeks state carbon rule comments

OLYMPIA — The Seattle-based Washington Environmental Council is encouraging state residents to submit comments to the Department of Ecology as the agency writes the rules that will enforce the state’s Climate Commitment Act.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the WEC — which lobbies the state legislature and executive agencies to protect the environment — said with the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, it is more important than ever to ensure the state government and effectively cap carbon emissions.

Passed by the state legislature in 2021, the Climate Commitment Act imposes a statewide cap on carbon emissions, requires the state to work with sovereign Native American tribes as it does so, and creates a mechanism to trade emission allowances when the law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

“The Climate Commitment Act was designed to achieve our climate goal while benefiting overburdened communities, honoring tribal sovereignty, and not causing environmental harm,” the press release said. “The Supreme Court can’t stop our climate progress. Our state must lead and demonstrate that forward movement is unstoppable and is rooted in a commitment to environmental justice, tribal sovereignty and public accountability.”

“We cannot afford to leave anyone behind,” the press release concluded.

To submit a comment through the Washington Environmental Council’s website, visit wagreen.p2a.co/kz5Ll1w. To comment to the Department of Ecology directly, visit aq.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=6Nx2J. The comment period ends on July 15.