Publication Summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing a rule to require reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from certain sources in the state.

Based on research and analysis required by the Regulatory Fairness Act – RCW 19.85.070 – Ecology has determined the proposed rule, Chapter 173-441 WAC, has a disproportionate impact on small business. Therefore, Ecology included cost-minimizing features in the rule where it is legal and feasible to do so.

This document provides the public with an overview of the methods Ecology used to perform its analysis, and the features of the rule and rule-development process specifically addressing small business needs. Small businesses are defined as those with fifty or fewer employees.

Due to size limitations relating to the filing of documents with the Code Reviser, the SBEIS does not contain the appendices that further explain Ecology′s analysis. Additionally, it does not contain the raw data used in this analysis, or all of Ecology′s analysis of this data. However, this information is being placed in the rule-making file, and is available upon request. A full analysis of compliance costs is available in the associated Cost-Benefit Analysis for this rule.