Emissions Performance Standard Mailing List
Every five years, Commerce adopts rules on the average available greenhouse gas emissions output, which serves as the greenhouse gas emissions performance standard for baseload electric generation. Utilities may not enter into long-term contracts with a baseload generating facility, nor may utilities invest in a facility, when the greenhouse gas emissions of the facility exceed the emissions performance standard.
Commerce determines the average rate of greenhouse gas emissions output by surveying new combined-cycle natural gas thermal electric generation turbines and determining the average rate of greenhouse gas emissions from them. The turbines need to be commercially available, offered for sale by manufacturers, and purchased in the United States.
The greenhouse gas emissions performance standard applies to all investor and consumer owned utilities in the state. Renewable and nuclear powered electricity are exempt, as are long-term commitments with the Bonneville Power Administration.
The performance standard was last updated in 2018. Commerce is now updating the standard again per statute (RCW 80.80.050).
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