Today we're publishing a new Special Report, "The Expanded SEPA [State Environmental Policy Act] Has Reduced Regulatory Certainty in Washington." You can read the report here.

In 2013 and 2014, the state Department of Ecology expanded the scope of review for the purposes of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) beyond state borders, in a seemingly arbitrary manner.

Our report covers the facts, context, effects and potential implications of this increased state regulation. In brief:

• New SEPA reviews look for impacts beyond our state borders.
• The Gateway Pacific and Millennium Bulk terminal projects, and the Vancouver Energy facility project, are being held to this new standard.
• The target for these reviews have been potential greenhouse gas emissions overseas.
• These projects have experienced long, expensive review periods with no certain end date.
• No set criteria exists for expanded SEPA reviews now undertaken at the regulator’s discretion.
• SEPA reviews are often redundant, occurring alongside other mandatory environmental studies.
• Some local governments have sought to stop legal, regulated, international exporting activities.
• Other projects with the potential for high-wage industrial jobs have been abandoned.
• 40 percent of Washington state jobs are tied to international trade.
• Expanded SEPA puts Washington state at a disadvantage with regional and international competitors.

The full report is here.