Gregoire announces greenhouse gas reduction initiatives

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced (after testifying before the Environmental Protection Agency) that, through an executive order, all state agencies must develop emissions reduction strategies and set benchmarks for industry emissions to make sure the state reaches the 2020 reduction goals.

“We can’t further delay action on climate change,” she said. Gregoire introduced a bill that would have capped greenhouse gas emissions and allowed affected industries to trade credits, but it failed.

Here’s the summary of the executive order, which she calls “Washington’s Leadership on Climate Change,” courtesy of her office:

• Develop emission reduction strategies and industry emissions benchmarks to make sure 2020 reduction targets are met.
• Work with TransAlta to reduce emissions from the company’s coal-fired power plant near Centralia by more than half.
• Ensure Washington has trees to capture harmful carbon, while creating financial incentives for the forestry industry.
• Work on low-carbon fuel standards or alternative requirements to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector.
• Join with neighboring states and the private sector to implement a West Coast highway accessible to electric and alternative-fuel vehicles.
• Address rising sea levels and the risks to water supplies.
• Increase transit options, such as buses, light rail, and ride-share programs, and give Washington residents more choices for reducing the effect of transportation emissions.
• Continue to work with six other Western states and four Canadian provinces in the Western Climate Initiative to develop a regional emissions reduction program design.
• Work with the Obama Administration to help design a national program that is strong, and reflects state priorities.

She said the order invites innovation and could create thousands of “green collar” jobs.

“Where the legislature faltered, the governor didn’t give up,” said Sen. Phil Rockefeller, during the press conference. Gregoire praised Rockefeller and Rep. Dave Upthegrove for their efforts on her climate change bill.

For more information from Department of Ecology, go here. For our previous posts on cap and trade, go here.

Tags: Cap and Trade, emissions reduction, EPA, greenhouse gas, Gregoire