Wash. Rev. Code § 70A.535.050

Current through 2024

Section 70A.535.050 - Rules adopted under RCW 70A.535.025 and 70A.535.030-Generation of credits

(1) The rules adopted under RCW 70A.535.030 and 70A.535.025 may allow the generation of credits from activities that support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation in Washington, including but not limited to:

(a) Carbon capture and sequestration projects, including but not limited to:

(i) Innovative crude oil production projects that include carbon capture and sequestration;

(ii) Project-based refinery greenhouse gas mitigation including, but not limited to, process improvements, renewable hydrogen use, and carbon capture and sequestration; or

(iii) Direct air capture projects;

(b) Investments and activities that support deployment of machinery and equipment used to produce gaseous and liquid fuels from nonfossil feedstocks, and derivatives thereof;

(c) The fueling of battery or fuel cell electric vehicles by a commercial, nonprofit, or public entity that is not an electric utility, which may include, but is not limited to, the fueling of vehicles using electricity certified by the department to have a carbon intensity of zero; and

(d) The use of smart vehicle charging technology that results in the fueling of an electric vehicle during times when the carbon intensity of grid electricity is comparatively low.

(2)

(a) The rules adopted under RCW 70A.535.030 and 70A.535.025 must allow the generation of credits based on capacity for zero emission vehicle refueling infrastructure, including DC fast charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

(b) The rules adopted under RCW 70A.535.030 and 70A.535.025 may allow the generation of credits from the provision of low carbon fuel infrastructure not specified in (a) of this subsection.

(3) The rules adopted under RCW 70A.535.030 and 70A.535.025 must allow the generation of credits from state transportation investments funded in an omnibus transportation appropriations act for activities and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize the transportation sector. These include, but are not limited to:

(a) Electrical grid and hydrogen fueling infrastructure investments;

(b) ferry operating and capital investments;

(c) electrification of the state ferry fleet;

(d) alternative fuel vehicle rebate programs;

(e) transit grants;

(f) infrastructure and other costs associated with the adoption of alternative fuel use by transit agencies;

(g) bike and pedestrian grant programs and other activities;

(h) complete streets and safe walking grants and allocations;

(i) rail funding; and

(j) multimodal investments.

(4) The rules adopted by the department may establish limits for the number of credits that may be earned each year by persons participating in the program for some or all of the activities specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The department must limit the number of credits that may be earned each year under subsection (3) of this section to 10 percent of the total program credits. Any limits established under this subsection must take into consideration the return on investment required in order for an activity specified in subsection (2) of this section to be financially viable.

(5)

(a) In coordination with the department, the Washington state department of transportation must immediately begin work on identifying the amount of credit revenues likely to be generated under subsection (3) of this section from the state transportation investments funded in an omnibus transportation appropriations act, including the move ahead WA transportation package. It is the intent of the legislature that these credits will be maximized to allow further investment in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize the transportation sector including, but not limited to, additional funding in future years, for ferry electrification beyond four new hybrid electric vessels, active transportation, and transit programs and projects.

(b) Beginning November 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Washington state department of transportation must present a detailed projection of the credit revenues generated under subsection (3) of this section and a preferred reinvestment strategy for the revenues for the following 10-year time period to the joint transportation committee.

RCW 70A.535.050

Amended by 2022 c 182,§ 412, eff. 3/25/2022.

Added by 2021 c 317,§ 6, eff. 7/25/2021.

Effective date- 2022 c 182 s s 313, 408-414, and 421: See note following RCW 82.21.030.

Intent- 2022 c 182 : See note following RCW 70A.65.240.

Severability- 2021 c 317 : See note following RCW 70A.535.005.