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RMI's technical pathways analysis for Washington's Emission-Intensive, Trade-Exposed (EITE) industrial sectors indicates that existing and near-term technologies can reduce emissions by 39% by 2034, supporting the potential for updating the state's Cap-and-Invest program with sectoral benchmarking and new allowance reduction schedules after 2034.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) provides expert comments to the Washington Department of Ecology regarding the potential linkage of Washington's cap-and-invest program with the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) market administered by California and Quebec. SEI warns that because Washington's program is currently more stringent and has a longer time horizon (through 2050) than California's (authorized through 2030), full linkage could significantly lower allowance prices, reduce state auction revenues, and undermine Washington's emission reduction goals. SEI recommends that full linkage be contingent on California extending its program beyond 2030 and increasing its 2030 cap stringency to address a large bank of unused allowances. As an interim measure, SEI proposes 'restricted linkage' via a quota on imported WCI allowances to balance cost containment with environmental integrity.