Picture Credit: Lone Star Chapter
On December 19, 2019, Governor Inslee issued Directive 19-18, Environmental Assessment of Greenhouse gas Emissions, directing the Washington State Department of Ecology to “strengthen and standardize” environmental emissions assessments for all new and expanding industrial and fossil fuel projects in order to decrease climate risk. When the Greenhouse Gas Assessment for Projects (GAP) rulemaking becomes law, it will be the first-of-its-kind in the United States. This law has the potential to set an important precedent for other states/cities looking to curb their greenhouse gas emissions, that’s why we need a rule that is sure to use the best available science.
What are upstream emissions?
Upstream emissions are the gases released or leaked in the extraction, processing, transporting, distribution and storage of fossil fuels. For example, fracked gas is primarily composed of methane, a gas 87 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. Methane release during the fracked gas lifecycle is an “upstream” emission source.
What are downstream emissions?
Downstream emissions are emission sources after a product is created. Generally, greenhouse gases are burned after leaving major industrial facilities. For example, oil refineries produce gasoline, which is combusted inside a vehicle., and similarly, coal export facilities provide coal for overseas power plants. These later emission sources are examples of what happens “downstream” of where the product is originally created, when the fossil fuels are used.
Initial environmental assessments by government agencies in the state have been woefully inadequate, leading to lengthy review processes and litigation. This Directive is our opportunity to set precedent for how we evaluate fossil fuels. It is incredibly important to get reviews that will adequately assess the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions of proposed projects.
Current Status:
We need your help to influence the rulemaking process! The more folks we have participating, the more likely we are to get a rule that implements the best available science for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions on coal, oil, and gas projects in WA state. There will be opportunities this year to learn more about the rulemaking, before a public comment period on the draft rule kicks off in April 2021!
Get Involved:
(Select "Stopping Fossil Fuels" and mention "GHG Rulemaking" to get involved)
Learn More:
New Rules for Fossil Fuels
