Natural Gas Decarbonization

Natural gas decarbonization

The 2021 legislature directed the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to conduct a study on energy decarbonization impacts and pathways. This study will explore various scenarios for reducing emissions from Washington's electric and natural gas systems. The end result of this project will be a report to the Washington State Legislature. 

The UTC is committed to an open and transparent process throughout this project. Information about how to engage on this project and provide feedback will be posted to this webpage and the U-210553 docket page.

Notice of Opportunity to file written comments

We are determining potential decarbonization pathways through technical analysis and public input. We are seeking comments and feedback from the public on our dashboard and general comments on other potential pathways.

Deadline to submit comments: 5 p.m., July 31, 2023

Please provide written comments in electronic form, preferably in searchable .pdf format (Adobe Acrobat or comparable software). Comments may be submitted via the Commission’s web portal. If you are unable to submit documents via the portal, you may submit your comments by email to the Commission’s Records Center at records@utc.wa.gov.

Comment submissions should include:

• The docket number of this proceeding (Docket UE-210553),
• The commenting party’s name, and
• The title and date of the comment or comments.

The commission will post all comments that are provided in electronic format on our website. If you are unable to file your comments electronically, the Commission will accept a paper document via mail.

Timeline

• June 6, 2022 - Decarbonization Pathways Engagement Plan
• June 1, 2023 - Final report due to the legislature 

Upcoming events

Check back soon for updates

Past events

• July 18, 2023 - Decarbonization Advisory Group Final Meeting - During the meeting, the group reviewed the report outline, explained the dashboard structure and hosted a Q&A.
  Meeting recording

• February 22, 2023 - Public Technical Meeting 4
  Exploring Decarbonization Pathways: SSG presented the final decarbonization pathways. Public participants reviewed pathways and provided input on constraints, impacts, and potential legislative considerations, as well as health, economic, and equity considerations. The input will be used to finalize the analysis.
  Download meeting slides
  Meeting recording
  Technical meeting 4 whiteboard

• February 1, 2023 - Decarbonization Advisory Group Meeting 4 - Exploring Decarbonization Pathways: SSG presented and the DAG reviewed the final decarbonization pathways. The DAG will share their recommendations on how decarbonization actions could be implemented in a way that reduces negative impacts. Input will be used to finalize the analysis.
  Download meeting slides
  Meeting recording
  DAG meeting 4 whiteboard

• January 5, 2023 - Public Technical Meeting 3 - The UTC held a meeting for the public to learn about potential suites of decarbonization actions for energy decarbonization pathways, as well as to provide input on modeling assumptions, modeling considerations, and potential equity impacts, co-benefits and risks.
  Download meeting slides
  Meeting 3 recording
  Technical meeting 3 whiteboard

• January 4, 2023 - Decarbonization Advisory Group Meeting 3 - The UTC held a meeting for the Decarbonization Advisory Group to learn about potential suites of decarbonization actions for energy decarbonization pathways, as well as to provide input on modeling assumptions, modeling considerations, and potential equity impacts, co-benefits, and risks.
  Download meeting slides 
  Meeting 3 recording
  DAG meeting 3 whiteboard

• October 5, 2022 - Public Technical Meeting 2 - The UTC held a meeting for the public to learn about what Washington’s emissions between now and 2050 look like under a business-as-planned scenario, as well as to provide feedback on potential decarbonization actions, equity implications, and opportunities for and barriers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  Download meeting slides
  Technical Meeting 2 recording
  Technical Meeting 2 whiteboard

• September 7, 2022 - Decarbonization Advisory Group Meeting 2 - The UTC held a meeting for the Decarbonization Advisory Group to learn about what Washington’s emissions between now and 2050 look like under a business-as-planned scenario, as well as to provide feedback on potential decarbonization actions, equity implications, and opportunities for and barriers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Participants provided feedback via a digital whiteboard.
  Download meeting slides 
  DAG meeting 2 whiteboard
  DAG meeting 2 recording

• July 14, 2022 - Decarbonization Advisory Group Meeting 1 - The UTC held a meeting for the Decarbonization Advisory Group to review assumptions for a projection of expected emissions based on current trends and the implementation of existing policies. This projection is known as a business-as-usual scenario. Participants had an opportunity to review the assumptions and provide feedback orally and via an online whiteboard.
  Download meeting slides
  DAG meeting 1 whiteboard
  DAG meeting 1 recording

• June 29, 2022 - Public Technical Meeting 1 - The UTC held the first public meeting to review assumptions for a projection of expected emissions based on current trends and the implementation of existing policies. This projection is known as a business-as-usual scenario. Participants had an opportunity to review the assumptions and provide feedback orally and via an online whiteboard.
  Download meeting slides
  Technical meeting 1 whiteboard
  Technical meeting 1 recording

• May 27, 2022 - Energy Decarbonization Pathways Engagement Meeting - The UTC held a kick-off meeting to inform participants how to get involved and provide input. The meeting went over current energy use and emissions in the state, and the project timeline.
  Download the agenda
  Download meeting slides
  View the recording

Background

The UTC contracted with Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG) to support the UTC with examining decarbonization pathways with privately owned energy utilities in Washington state. 

Goals:

• How natural gas utilities can decarbonize;
• The impacts of increased electrification on the ability of electric utilities to deliver services to current natural gas customers reliably and affordably;
• The ability of electric utilities to procure and deliver electric power to reliably meet that load;
• The impact on regional electric system resource adequacy, and the transmission and distribution infrastructure requirements for such a transition;
• The costs and benefits to residential and commercial customers, including environmental, health, and economic benefits;
• Equity considerations and impacts to low-income customers and highly impacted communities; and
• Potential regulatory policy changes to facilitate decarbonization of the services that gas companies provide while ensuring customer rates are fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient.