Industry News

Washington’s First Cap & Invest Auction Raises about $300 million

Washington’s first auction of allowances under the Climate Commitment Act raised about $300 million. The Department of Ecology announced that it had sold almost all of its 6.2 million allowances, each representing one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions. The settlement price was $48.50 per ton, more than twice the floor price of $22.20. Businesses that are regulated under the Climate Commitment Act can purchase allowances to cover a portion of their emissions. The revenue from the auctions will be used to fund greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects and research. The Governor’s two-year budget would spend about $1.7 billion in auction revenue. The state will hold up to four auctions each year. For additional information see: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/was-first-greenhouse-gas-allowance-auction-raises-estimated-300-million/

 

Natural Gas Bans in Jeopardy?

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of appeals found a Berkeley, California ordinance banning new natural gas hookups in new buildings to be preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Several municipalities in Oregon and Washington have adopted similar ordinances. For more information see EnergyWire.
 

ERI Scholarship Applications are Now Open for Food Northwest Members

The Food Northwest Education and Research Institute is now taking applications for the 2025 scholarships. Employees, and their immediate family members, of Food Northwest Food Processor members and Supplier members are eligible to apply. Students must attend accredited colleges, universities, community colleges, or technical schools in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. Applications and information are available on the Food Northwest website.  In 2024, scholarships were awarded to employees/families at Boardman Foods, and Tree Top.
 

FDA Enters Rulemaking to Permit Salt Substitutes

On April 10, 2023, the FDA published a proposed rule to amend the standards of identity (SOIs) to permit the use of salt substitutes in foods for which salt is a required or optional ingredient.  The proposed rule does not list permitted salt substitutes but defines them as safe and suitable replacements that serve the functions of salt in food.  FDA believes this rule could help manufacturers meet the voluntary sodium reduction targets in its October 2021 Guidance for Industry. Comments on the proposed rule are due August 8, 2023.
 

Washington to Design Extended Producer Responsibility Program

In response to failure to pass legislation to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, the legislature provided in its budget $500,000 for the Department of Ecology to fund a third-party contractor to gather stakeholder input and recommend a design and implementation for an EPR program.  This report is due to the legislature by December 1, 2023.  Food Northwest will participate in the stakeholder process and work to influence legislation for 2024.

 
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