Development of tools to evaluate expenditures from the carbon emissions reduction account (CERA)
CERA
In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), establishing a comprehensive program to reduce carbon pollution and achieve greenhouse gas limits set in state law. The CCA creates a market-based “cap-and invest" program that sets a cap on overall carbon emissions in the state and requires businesses to obtain allowances equal to their covered greenhouse gas emissions. These allowances are obtained through quarterly auctions hosted by the Department Ecology or bought and sold on a secondary market. The quarterly auctions generate substantial revenues that are deposited into three specified accounts and then invested into climate projects throughout the state. The Carbon Emissions Reduction Account (CERA) is for projects that reduce emissions from the transportation sector and increase access to public and alternative transportation. The 2023-25 Transportation Budget allocates revenues from the CERA and other CCA accounts.
The 2023-25 Transportation Budget (Sec, 204 (7)) directs the JTC to oversee the development of tools and methodologies to ensure efficient investment of CERA funds. The tools will evaluate program delivery for CERA funded investments to replace emission producing vehicles with zero emission vehicles or vessels. The JTC hired ICF management and consulting in March of 2024 to develop and implement the tool.
The study was split into two phases:
- Phase I required design and development of the emissions reporting tool. That task, along with a final report, was completed in October 2024. The tool final report and user guide can be found here: (insert link).
- Phase 2 introducing and providing support for users of the tool. It also includes adding additional functionality to the tool identified during the tool development process. Phase 2 will be completed during the remainder of the 2023-25 biennium.