Climate Change > Washington State GHG Inventory and Reference Case Projections, 1990-2020

Washington State GHG Inventory and Reference Case Projections, 1990-2020

The state’s greenhouse gas inventory and reference case projections estimate Washington’s anthropogenic GHG emissions and sinks (carbon storage) for the period from 1990 to 2020. Historical GHG emission estimates (1990 through 2005, or most recent historical year) were developed using a set of generally-accepted principles and guidelines for state GHG emission estimates, with adjustments for Washington-specific data and context, as appropriate.  The initial reference case emission projection (2006-2020) is based on a compilation of various existing projections of electricity generation, fuel use, and other GHG-emitting activities, along with a set of transparent assumptions.

Relying on the State projections of population and employment growth, utilities’ projections of electricity use, and input from Washington staff from Ecology, CTED and other departments, a simple reference case projection was developed for GHG emissions through 2020.  The reference case projection, by design, does not account for the significant policy actions required by Governor Gregoire’s Washington Climate Change Challenge (Executive Order 07- 02) or any of the recommendations from Washington’s Climate Advisory Team (CAT).  Therefore, the Reference Case projections in this report should be viewed as a “no recent policy” baseline, against which the benefits of policies, both those recently enacted by the state legislature and those recommended by the Climate Advisory Team (CAT), can be assessed.

As directed by state law, by December 31, 2008 and each even-numbered year thereafter, the department of ecology and the department of community, trade and economic development will update this greenhouse gas inventory for the state, showing the emissions for the preceding two years.  The inventory will also include totals for each major source sector. The reporting rules that are being adopted by ecology will also help the agency develop a comprehensive inventory from all significant sectors of the Washington economy.