State plan to curb carbon pollution from 35 facilities, including Spokane’s trash incinerator, under consideration

A public meeting on Washington’s proposed rule to curb carbon pollution from the state’s largest emitters takes place Tuesday in Spokane.

The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard. An earlier workshop is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. To RSVP for either event, visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/engagement.htm.

The rules would target about 35 industrial facilities jointly responsible for 60 percent of the heat-trapping gases produced in Washington. The proposed regulation follows Gov. Jay Inslee’s failure to get a cap-and-trade system and carbon tax approved by the Legislature this year.

Factories and other facilities that produce 100,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases annually would be affected by the new regulations. In Eastern Washington, targeted polluters include Avista Corp., Kaiser Aluminum’s Trentwood plant and the city of Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy Plant.

State officials said the new rules would gradually reduce carbon dioxide, methane and five other heat-trapping gases that contribute to climate change. Companies could reduce emissions by changing manufacturing methods, conserving energy or purchasing carbon offset credits, officials said. An economic analysis will be part of the rule-making process.

Officials plan to release a draft rule by December, with adoption of a final rule by next June. The new regulations would take effect in 2017.