Washington state has signed an agreement to link its carbon market with the joint program run by California and Quebec. The linked market is expected to launch in 2027, with joint pollution permit auctions. Supporters say the move will stabilize prices and cut pollution by giving Washington businesses access to a larger, cheaper pool of permits. Washington's most recent auction settled at $64.56 per ton, while the California-Quebec auction cleared at $28.81 per ton. Critics, including Republican lawmakers, argue the program disproportionately hurts rural communities with no alternatives to driving, as fuel distributors pass costs to drivers at the pump. Washington's Climate Commitment Act has generated roughly $4.7 billion in revenue for clean energy and climate projects. California and Quebec still need to complete regulatory changes before the linked market can take effect.
