Page 13 - PPGA Propane Post Winter

WASHINGTON ECOLOGY RELEASES DRAFT CAP-AND-INVEST BILL LANGUAGE
Washington Ecology has released the draft language for the cap-and-invest agency request legis- lation. Ecology’s goals are to make statute changes to allow linking Washington’s carbon mar-
ket with California and Québec, as well as potential provisions to address other issues with the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). Parts of the law that might be proposed to be amended include, but are not limited to, provisions concerning offsets from projects on Tribal lands, allowance purchase limits, and electricity reporting and imports.
While Ecology still refuses to acknowledge deficiencies in the program this is the first step in recognizing structural problems with the CCA. The PPGA is engaging with industry partners on recommended changes to make the program more successful to market participants while still achieving many of the emission reduction goals of the legislature, Governor and Ecology.
Members can track these developments on Ecology’s website:
• Agency Request Legislation webpage
• Cap-and-invest linkage webpage
SBCC CONTINUES ASSAULT ON PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS
The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) again moved forward with rules that would all but ban propane and natural gas in new construction. The new energy codes approved at the end of November are scheduled to take effect on March 15, 2024,
WHAT’S NEXT
An industry coalition, which included the PPGA and the NPGA, will continue to pursue litiga- tion against the Washington SBCC. The PPGA is a named plaintiff in a lawsuit brought by BIAW against the state this past February and the case remains in Thurston County Superior Court. A different group of plaintiffs, including the NPGA, filed suit in federal court in May and moved to voluntarily dismiss that case earlier this year without prejudice. The coalition is discussing refil- ing the federal lawsuit.
THE PROPANE POST • WINTER 2023 | 13
OREGON TEMPORARILY
DELAYS
CLEAN TRUCK RULES
On Nov. 16, 2023, the Environmental Quality Commission adopted temporary rules to delay the implementation of
the Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Rules for one year. The Omnibus Rules will now go into effect with engine model year 2025.
The Oregon Clean Truck Rules includes adoption of two California air quality rules by reference:
• The Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Rules requires conventionally fueled heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers to meet tougher nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emission standards, overhaul engine testing procedures and further extend engine warranties to ensure NOx and PM emissions are reduced.
• The Advanced Clean Trucks Rule requires manufacturers of medium- and heavy- duty vehicles to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles in Oregon beginning with the 2025 vehicle model year.