Meet the 2026 Giuliani Award Finalists

Each year at our Future of Carbon Policy Forum, we present the prestigious David & Patricia Giuliani Clean Energy Entrepreneur Award. This award, which honors our organization’s late founder and his wife, recognizes businesses making meaningful advances in clean energy innovation. Previous winners include Edo, Group14, Myno Carbon, and Kenworth Truck Company.

We’re so excited to announce our 2026 finalists! They are three innovative companies driving real decarbonization and economic opportunity in our state: Helion, Yakima Chief Hops, and Sila Nanotechnologies!

Helion is building the world’s first fusion power plant in Malaga, targeting 50 megawatts of zero-carbon power by 2028 and the potential to avoid 100,000+ tons of CO₂ each year.

Yakima Chief Hops is cutting emissions 50 percent at its Sunnyside campus by capturing approximately 1,600 tons of CO₂ annually, while strengthening rural and Tribal hop-growing communities. This project is supported by a grant from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.

Sila Nanotechnologies is scaling next-gen Titan Silicon battery materials in Moses Lake, creating up to 500 jobs and advancing U.S. leadership in clean-tech manufacturing.

Congratulations to our three David & Patricia Giuliani Clean Energy Entrepreneur Award finalists! We’ll announce the winner at our 2026 Future of Carbon Policy Forum on January 8, following a panel with all three finalists moderated by GeekWire’s Lisa Stiffler.

Future of Carbon Policy Forum Happening Jan. 8, 2026!

In case you missed it: We recently announced that our 8th annual Future of Carbon Policy Forum will take place Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle! Each year, the Forum brings together Pacific Northwest climate and clean energy leaders to help set the policy and investment agenda for the coming year.

This year, hear all about our nation-leading work to decarbonize medium-and heavy-duty vehicles, Washington’s efforts to join the fourth-largest carbon market in the world, and how we can dramatically increase efficient and effective clean energy siting.

Tickets are on sale now! Register by December 19 to guarantee your spot.

Report Finds CA Can Cut Pollution & Lower Costs Through More Ambitious Cap

Earlier this year, California reauthorized its landmark cap-and-invest program through 2045, aligning its ambition, timeline, and name with Washington state’s program. Now, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is undergoing rulemaking to incorporate changes made by the Legislature and further refine the successful program.

New modeling from our friends at Greenline Insights shows that, by adopting the “Higher Ambition” cap identified in rulemaking, California can strengthen its climate progress, support affordability, and put itself in a strong position to meet its targets with lower long-term costs for families statewide.

Key findings from Greenline Insights:

Removing 154M allowances through 2030 – rather than the minimum 118M – delivers significantly deeper pollution cuts.
Families earning under $100,000 see $600M+ in net savings through 2045.
Lower-income households (≤ $70,000) gain the most: $2.2B in net savings through 2045.
A tighter cap removes 586M allowances between 2027-2045 while keeping prices within expected bounds and maintaining market stability.

California already faces $16 billion in annual losses caused by climate disasters. Reducing pollution even faster – while preserving affordability – helps avoid these escalating impacts.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for making the 2026 Future of Carbon Policy Forum possible!

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