SB 5121-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 1/21/00)

     Provides that the department of community, trade, and economic development, as lead agency in cooperation with the department of ecology, the department of agriculture, and the department of natural resources, will evaluate other states' and nations' attempts to establish carbon credit programs and will develop, by December 1, 2000, recommendations for the next regular session of the Washington state legislature.  The departments shall review methods and scientific programs that are used to implement carbon storage programs.  The departments will analyze other programs in the state of Washington, including the conservation reserve enhancement program, that could facilitate a carbon storage program and a stable carbon storage market.

     Directs the department of natural resources and the department of community, trade, and economic development to jointly review carbon storage programs and carbon storage requirements world-wide and prepare appropriate legislative responses as recommendations to the next regular session of the legislature by December 1, 2000.