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The Climate Commitment Act directs Ecology to regularly review and update our offset protocols based on the best available science. As such, Ecology is adopting amendments to offset protocols in the Climate Commitment Act Program Rule (Chapter 173-446 WAC) to update the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) protocol. The ODS protocol is a separate document that is adopted by reference in the WAC language. The purpose of these updates is to increase technical standards, decrease obstacles to project development, and reflect policy advances. Amendments were adopted in WAC 173-446-505 (Requirements for compliance offset protocol) and WAC 173-446-580 (Invalidation of ecology offset credits).
Offset projects are designed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program, offset projects must also provide direct environmental benefits to our state. Offsets allow businesses to balance out the negative impacts of their emissions by funding a project that benefits the environment.
The rule was adopted on July 21, 2025, and will go into effect August 21, 2025. This adoption can be appealed under procedures described in the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 34.05 RCW), including those found in RCW 34.05.330. Ecology is continuing to examine updates to additional offsets protocols, including the US Forest and Blue Carbon protocols. To stay updated on updates on additional offsets protocols, please subscribe to our mailing lists below.
Description of changes between the proposal and the adoption
Amendments were adopted in WAC 173-446-505 (Requirements for compliance offset protocols), WAC 173-446-580(Invalidation of ecology offset credits), and the ODS Offset protocol. Changes to the rule language and protocol since proposal include clarifying language around out-of-state Ozone Depleting Substances offset project development, changed stockpile requirements for Hydrochloroflurocarbon-22 (HCFC-22) included in this rulemaking, and clarified protocol language on point-of-origin for HCFC-22. For a complete list of changes made and the rationale for such changes, please see the Concise Explanatory Statement.
Read Rulemaking Materials:
You are invited to review the following documents:
CR-103 form
Adopted rule language
ODS Protocol
Key Changes in Ecology’s ODS Protocol
Final Regulatory Analysis
Concise Explanatory Statement: Ecology's response to comments received during the public comment period is now available. Download a copy at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2514043.html. To see comments received visit: https://ecology.commentinput.com?id=Aj7DMGYHa
Environmental Justice Assessment
Rule Implementation Plan
SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance and Environmental Checklist
If you would prefer to review hard copies of any of these documents, please contact Kayla Stevenson at kayla.stevenson@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 972-0313.
How can I stay informed about this rulemaking?
Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, email kayla.stevenson@ecy.wa.gov or call (360) 972-0313. You can also visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility.
Spanish
El Departamento de Ecología adoptó enmiendas al Capítulo 173-446 WAC, Programa de la Ley de Compromiso Climático (en inglés, Climate Commitment Act Program). Este proceso reglamentario actualiza los protocolos actuales de compensación de emisiones de carbono y
considera otros nuevos. También se realizaron otros cambios necesarios en las secciones 500-595.
Para más información, por favor llame a Kayla Stevenson al 360-972-0313 y solicite un intérprete.
Korean
주 환경부는 WAC 173-446장 기후 공약법 프로그램(Climate Commitment Act Program)에 대한 개정 사항을 채택하였습니다. 이번 규칙 제정은 기존 상쇄 기준(offset protocol)을 업데이트하고, 새로운 기준을 검토하는 내용을 포함하고 있습니다. 필요에 따라, 제500~595조의 다른 조항들도 함께 개정되었습니다.
자세한 내용은 Kayla Stevenson에게 360-972-0313번으로 전화하셔서 통역을 요청하세요.
Vietnamese
Bộ Môi Sinh đã thông qua các sửa đổi Chương 173-446 WAC - Chương trình Đạo luật Cam kết Khí hậu (Climate Commitment Act Program). Luật này cập nhật các giao thức bù đắp hiện tại và xem xét các giao thức mới. Các thay đổi khác đã được thực hiện đối với các phần 500-595 nếu cần.
Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng gọi Kayla Stevenson số 360-972-0313 và yêu cầu thông dịch viên.
Chinese
生态管理部通过了对 WAC 第173-446章气候承诺法案计划（Climate Commitment Act Program）的修订. 该规则制定旨在更新当前的抵消协议，并考虑新的协议。根据需要，可以对第 500-595 节进行其他更改。
如需了解更多信息，请致电 360-972-0313 联系 Kayla Stevenson,并可要求口译员。
Russian
Департамент экологии (Department of Ecology) принял поправки к главе 173-446 WAC Закона о программе обязательств по климату (Climate Commitment Act Program). Это нормотворчество обновляет текущие протоколы смещения и учитывает новые. При необходимости в разделы 500–595 были внесены и другие изменения. Для получения дополнительной информации позвоните Kayla Stevenson по телефону 360-972-0313 и попросите переводчика.
Ukrainian
Департамент екології (Department of Ecology) прийняв зміни до глави 173-446 WAC Програма Закону про кліматичні зобов'язання (Climate Commitment Act Program). Ця нормотворча діяльність призводить до оновлення існуючих протоколів
компенсації та розгляду нових. До розділів 500–595 було внесено інші необхідні зміни. Для отримання додаткової інформації, будь ласка, зателефонуйте Kayla Stevenson за номером 360-972-0313 і попросіть перекладача.
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