By Dani Gelardi, Washington State Department of Agriculture
Earlier this year we detailed the positive and negative impacts of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to Washington’s agricultural sector. To briefly recap, we discussed the many new programs funded by the CCA, including those that make it easier and more affordable for producers to implement practices like compost application, methane capture, and biochar production. We also summarized a flaw in how the CCA was launched: Producers across the state received unexpectedly large bills for their on-farm fuel, due to hefty CCA-related surcharges imposed by fuel suppliers. Under the CCA law, agricultural operations are exempt from paying these fees.
As promised, state agencies have been working with agricultural stakeholders on a solution to halt further agricultural fuel surcharges, and to support producers who were wrongfully subjected to them in 2023. Beginning August 26th, 2024, the Department of Licensing is accepting applications for the Agricultural Support Program (ASP). The ASP was created in response to Washington Senate Bill 5950, and provides support payments to agricultural producers and transporters that paid CCA-related fuel surcharges in 2023. There is $28.5 million available to the agricultural community through this program on a first-come, first-served basis. For details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Department of Licensing’s ASP website, or email AGSupport@submittable.com. In the meantime, stay tuned for more information on the CCA and agriculture through the WaSHI newsletter, blog, and social media outlets.
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