Thursday, 16th April 2026

Washington State Department of Ecology

The Washington Department of Ecology has released draft linkage criteria findings, a draft Environmental Justice Assessment, and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documentation related to the potential Washington Cap-and-Invest Linkage under the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) with the joint California–Québec carbon market.
The agency is currently seeking public comment on the draft Washington–California–Québec linkage agreement, which was released on March 3, 2026. Public comments will be accepted through May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. As required under the CCA, Ecology must complete specific linkage criteria findings and an Environmental Justice Assessment before entering into a linkage agreement. The draft linkage criteria findings update a preliminary analysis released in 2023 and reflect public input and updated information. The draft Environmental Justice Assessment evaluates potential impacts of linkage on vulnerable populations, overburdened communities, and Tribes. Ecology began this assessment in June 2024 and conducted consultation and community engagement as part of the process. Under SEPA, Ecology determined that linkage would not result in significant adverse environmental impacts and issued a Determination of Non-Significance. Ecology stated that it will finalize the linkage criteria findings and Environmental Justice Assessment before deciding whether to sign a linkage agreement. If regulatory steps and process requirements are completed on schedule, a linked market could begin operating in 2027. The department will hold two public hearings:
1. April 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2. April 27, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional information is available on the Cap-and-Invest linkage webpage: https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2614020.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery