On May 21, 2009, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to develop and implement a number of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2007, Washington established a GHG emission reduction target to achieve 1990 emission levels by 2020. The new Executive Order directs state agencies to develop plans consistent with that target. Earlier this year, the Washington Legislature failed to pass legislation that would have implemented a cap-and-trade program in the state; Governor Gregoire’s Executive Order includes alternative methods for addressing GHG emissions that may have been covered under cap and trade.
Among other initiatives, the state’s Department of Ecology is directed to continue participating in the Western Climate Initiative [1] as it develops its program design; create emission reduction strategies for facilities with annual GHG emissions greater than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; develop recommendations for addressing forestry, including offsets and other incentives for carbon storage in forests; and examine California’s low carbon fuel standard and other state standards to provide recommendations for a Washington standard. The Department of Ecology is also directed to examine and make recommendations to address sea level rise, flooding, habitat loss, changes to water resources, and other anticipated climate change impacts. Additionally, the state’s Department of Transportation is directed to examine options for reducing emissions from transportation by addressing vehicle miles traveled and by coordinating with regional transportation planning organizations.
Press Release [2]
Executive Order [3]
Links:
[1] http://www.c2es.org/WesternClimateInitiative
[2] http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1242&newsType=1
[3] http://www.governor.wa.gov/execorders/eo_09-05.pdf