The bill aims to ensure fair treatment of waste-to-energy facilities under Washington's climate commitment act by providing a specific allocation of no-cost allowances for the state's only waste-to-energy municipal solid waste management system. Based on a study by the Department of Ecology, the legislature recognizes that this facility emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional landfill waste management. The bill introduces a new section that mandates the Department to allocate no-cost allowances to the facility, starting at 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions in the first compliance period and gradually decreasing to 97% and then by an additional 3% in subsequent periods.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to clarify that electric utilities cannot receive allowances for greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity produced by waste-to-energy facilities that are already receiving no-cost allowances. This provision aims to prevent double allocation of allowances and ensures that the benefits of the allowances are directed appropriately, particularly for the benefit of ratepayers, including low-income customers. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more equitable framework for waste management and energy production in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70A.65.120