The Washington state Department of Ecology has retracted a draft Clean Air Rule proposed in January to incorporate public comment before issuing a new version of the rule sometime this spring. Following the proposal of the rule, the state agency began gathering public feedback and subsequently decided to go back to the drawing board, according to a department press release. “We appreciate all the helpful and constructive feedback we have received from stakeholders,” said Sarah Rees, the depatment’s special assistant on climate change policy, in the release. “We’re listening and being responsive to the ideas on how to best move the rule forward.”
The department provided little detail as to what would be changed in the new version of the rule, which is designed to cap carbon emissions in the state. “Key areas that will be updated include clarifying compliance options, transparency in the proposed credit system, and considerations for Washington manufacturers whose products are sensitive to global pricing,” according to the release.
The department said it expects this summer to complete and enact the rule.
