Washington Voters Protect Climate Commitment Act

SEATTLE — On November 5, 2024, voters in Washington defeated a ballot initiative that would have repealed the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), the market-based cap-and-invest program requiring the state’s largest polluters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More than 575 organizations in a diverse coalition including labor, Tribal, environmental and business stakeholders joined together to protect the CCA, which has generated billions of dollars in revenue since 2023 for investments in climate and air quality projects throughout the state. This program advances environmental justice by requiring a minimum of 35% — with a goal of 40% — of auction revenue be used for projects that directly benefit vulnerable and overburdened communities.

Statement by Jayne Stevenson, State Climate Policy Manager, Pacific Environment:

“With the defeat of I-2117, Washington voters have voiced their support for clean air and affordable fossil fuel-free energy, and the state should use this momentum to continue leading the charge. In the maritime sector, this includes advancing port electrification technologies like shore power.

Washington has always been a climate leader and state leadership is needed now more than ever. We urge legislators to pass a bill requiring the most polluting ocean-going vessels visiting the state’s ports to reduce at berth emissions. Shore power is the primary solution for in-port vessel pollution, and CCA funding supports the adoption of a policy to accelerate shore power installation and utilization at ports.”

Background on the CCA and maritime

The CCA is a critical source of funding for the clean energy transition in Washington. The legislature appropriated $3.2 billion in CCA revenues for the 2023-25 biennium. This revenue will reduce pollution across several sectors, with an emphasis on clean transportation. Within this category, tens of millions of dollars have been allocated for maritime projects such as shore power infrastructure and electric ferries. Here is a snapshot of the funding for port and vessel electrification:

• $109 million for rail electrification and shore power at ports
  • Shore power funding includes $26.5 million for port electrification competitive grants and $28 million for a Northwest Seaport Alliance zero-emission shore power infrastructure project
• $64 million for converting three of the state’s Jumbo Mark II ferries to hybrid-electric
• $24 million for new electric Anacortes-Guemes Island Ferry
• $4 million for supporting the design of the Kitsap Transit fast ferry hydrofoil and shore power infrastructure

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