—story by Kate Prengaman
—photo by TJ Mullinax
The Washington State Department of Licensing launched its Agriculture Support Program in late August to help eligible industry members impacted by requirements in the Climate Commitment Act. Agricultural producers and transporters who paid fuel surcharges imposed by the act’s cap-and-invest program can apply for support payments ranging from $600 to $4,500.
Agricultural fuel use is exempt under the new program, which requires major emitters — including fuel suppliers — to pay “allowances” for their greenhouse gas pollution under a system designed to give such companies a time frame and incentive to reduce emissions. But as the program rolled out, it became clear that there was no system in place to ensure that farmers and truckers hauling produce would not be subject to pass-along fees from fuel distributors.
So, the state legislature funded a new $30 million program to offer rebates to growers and truckers who can demonstrate that their fuel use was only for agricultural purposes or for transporting agricultural products on public highways.
Payments under the new program will be made based on a tier system, depending on the amount of qualifying fuel purchased in 2023. Payments range from $600 for use of less than 1,000 gallons to $4,500 for over 10,000 gallons. According to the Department of Licensing, the types of fuel that qualify include: gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, kerosene and biodiesel.
Qualifying agricultural producers and transporters can apply online or by mailing in a paper application that can be found at the same website: dol.wa.gov/agriculture-support-program.
The program will continue until funding runs out. •
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