RCW 70A.65.240 — Carbon emissions reduction account.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2251-S2.SL) ***

1. (1) The carbon emissions reduction account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account are intended to affect reductions in transportation sector carbon emissions through a variety of carbon reducing investments. These can include, but are not limited to: Transportation alternatives to single occupancy passenger vehicles; reductions in single occupancy passenger vehicle miles traveled; reductions in per mile emissions in vehicles, including through the funding of alternative fuel infrastructure and incentive programs; and emission reduction programs for freight transportation, including motor vehicles and rail, as well as for ferries and other maritime and port activities. Expenditures from the account may only be made for transportation carbon emission reducing purposes and may not be made for highway purposes authorized under the 18th Amendment of the Washington state Constitution, other than specified in this section, and shall be made in accordance with subsection (2) of this section. It is the legislature's intent that expenditures from the account used to reduce carbon emissions be made with the goal of achieving equity for communities that historically have been omitted or adversely impacted by past transportation policies and practices.

2. (2) Appropriations in an omnibus transportation appropriations act from the carbon emissions reduction account shall be made exclusively to fund the following activities:

   1. (a) Active transportation;
   2. (b) Transit programs and projects;
   3. (c) Alternative fuel and electrification;
   4. (d) Ferries; and
   5. (e) Rail.

[ 2022 c 182 s 101; 2021 c 316 s 27.]

Notes:

Residual balance of funds from climate transit programs account, climate active transportation account—2025 c 417: "Any residual balance of funds remaining in the climate transit programs account or the climate active transportation account on June 30, 2025, shall be transferred by the state treasurer to the carbon emissions reduction account." [ 2025 c 417 s 807.]

Intent—2022 c 182: "The legislature intends that $500,000,000 of the amounts in the 16-year move ahead WA investment program must enhance stormwater runoff treatment from existing roads and infrastructure with an emphasis on green infrastructure retrofits. Projects must be prioritized based on benefits to salmon recovery and ecosystem health, reducing toxic pollution, addressing health disparities, and cost effectiveness. The department of transportation must submit progress reports on its efforts to reduce the toxicity of stormwater runoff from existing infrastructure, recommendations for addressing barriers to innovative solutions, and anticipated demand for funding each biennium." [ 2022 c 182 s 1.]

Effective date—2022 c 182: "Sections 1, 101 through 105, 201 through 204, 211, 301 through 312, 401 through 407, 415 through 420, 422, 423, 425 through 439, and 505 of this act take effect July 1, 2022." [ 2022 c 182 s 511.]