Committee hears local and agency support for tailored Climate Commitment Act treatment of waste‑to‑energy facility

Committee staff and a range of local officials, labor representatives and agency staff testified on Engrossed House Bill 2416, which addresses the treatment of certain waste‑to‑energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (CCA).

Staff described the eligibility trigger (a facility with emissions equal to or above 25,000 metric tons becomes a covered entity in the second compliance period) and summarized the allocation approach: Ecology would allocate 93% of a facility’s baseline emissions as no‑cost allowances for emissions year 2027, with that percentage reduced by 7% in subsequent emissions years through the end of the second compliance period. Fifty percent of allowances would be consigned to auction and the proceeds restricted to facility decarbonization investments subject to Ecology approval.

Local officials including Mayor Lisa Brown of Spokane and city staff described the facility as critical to local waste management and aquifer protection; they supported the unique approach while urging flexibility to avoid rate shocks. Labor and Avista representatives also supported the bill’s balanced approach but requested clarifying edits to ensure utilities and the facility have a clear compliance pathway.

Ecology staff testified they support keeping the facility under the CCA, noted a fiscal impact outside the governor’s budget, and supported the requirement that 50% of allowances be sold and proceeds used for decarbonization. The committee closed the hearing on HB 2416 and moved the bill forward for further committee consideration with stakeholders offering to provide technical language to resolve a few remaining questions.