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United States Environmental Protection Agency Denies California Vehicle Emissions Waiver Request

On December 19, 2007, United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson announced his agency had denied California’s request for a waiver that would allow the state to implement its greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. In explaining his decision, Johnson argued that recently enacted federal energy legislation establishes national vehicle efficiency standards of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, and that this unified standard is preferable to a state-by-state approach. Johnson also said that in making its request, California failed to demonstrate the waiver was required to meet “compelling and extraordinary conditions” within the state, given the global nature of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Governor Schwarzenegger of California responded to the EPA’s decision by saying California’s standards are still necessary because the new federal requirements do not go far enough in addressing greenhouse gas emissions. On January 2, 2008, California filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA's decision.

California’s proposed standards would be gradually phased in between model-years 2009 and 2016, and by model-year 2016, would require reductions of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles of approximately 30 percent. California and 16 other states are poised to adopt the standards. However, before these states can act, the federal EPA must grant California’s waiver request.

Johnson’s decision comes in the wake of two court rulings that supported implementation of the standards. On December 12, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii ruled against a group of automobile manufacturers challenging California’s authority to set and implement greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. A similar ruling was issued earlier in the year in Vermont against automobile industry plaintiffs challenging that state’s authority to adopt the California standards.

EPA Press Release
California Governor's Office Press Release
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards

Federal Court Upholds California’s Vehicle Emissions Standards

On December 12, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii ruled against a group of automobile manufacturers challenging California’s authority to set and implement greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. The auto industry had argued that the state's proposed regulations amount to setting fuel efficiency requirements for new vehicles, and that such efficiency standards can be set only by the federal government - specifically, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. A similar ruling was issued earlier this year in Vermont against automobile industry plaintiffs challenging that state’s authority to adopt California’s vehicle emissions standards. California’s proposed standards would be gradually phased in between model-years 2009 and 2016, and by model-year 2016, would require reductions of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles of approximately 30 percent. California and 16 other states are poised to adopt the standards, assuming the federal EPA grants California’s waiver request and barring any additional legal challenges.

Press Release
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards

 Montana Joins Western Climate Initiative, Establishes 20x10 Initiative

On November 19, 2007, Governor Brian Schweitzer announced that Montana will become the seventh U.S. state to join the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), a joint effort to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. The Initiative was established in February 2007 by the governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington; Utah and the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba joined the initiative in the spring of 2007.  Under the agreement, by 2008 the member states and provinces will establish a cap-and-trade system to aid in meeting their regional greenhouse gas emissions target of 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.  The participants will also set up an emissions registry and tracking system. 

At the same time, Governor Schweitzer also announced a new initiative seeking a 20% reduction in energy consumption by Montana state agencies by the year 2010.  In addition to reducing energy use, Schweitzer also asked agencies to apply a Montana vehicle efficiency standard by shifting state vehicle fleets to achieve an average of 30 miles per gallon or better. 

Press Release
Western Climate Initiative
Map of Regional Initiatives

Midwestern Governors Announce Emissions Reduction Agreement

On November 15, 2007, six states and one Canadian Province established the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. Under the Accord, members agree to establish regional greenhouse gas reduction targets, including a long-term target of 60 to 80 percent below current emissions levels, and develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade system to help meet the targets. Participants will also establish a greenhouse gas emissions reductions tracking system and implement other policies, such as low-carbon fuel standards, to aid in reducing emissions. The Governors of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as the Premier of the Canadian Province of Manitoba, signed the Accord as full participants; the Governors of Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota joined the agreement as observers to participate in the development of the cap and trade system. The Accord represents the first Midwestern regional agreement among U.S. states to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and will be fully implemented within 30 months.

The agreement was announced at the end of the two-day MGA Energy Security and Climate Change Summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during which representatives from the Midwestern states – including the nine states mentioned above, as well as Nebraska and North Dakota – discussed the various low-carbon energy options available in their region. In addition to the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord signed by six states and Manitoba, 11 midwestern states and the Canadian province adopted some or all of the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform (Missouri later became the 12th state to adopt portions of the agreement). The Platform lists goals for energy efficiency improvements, low-carbon transportation fuel availability, renewable electricity production, and carbon capture and storage development. Member states also signed six additional resolutions. These measures establish a Carbon Management Infrastructure Partnership, a Midwestern Biobased Product Procurement System, coordination across the region for biofuels development, and a working group to pursue a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional transmission initiative.

Press Release

Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord

Map of Regional Initiatives
 

California Sues United States Environmental Protection Agency Over Vehicle Standards Waiver Request

On November 8, 2007, the state of California sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to act on the state’s vehicle emissions standards waiver request. In its lawsuit, California argues that the agency should be compelled to issue a decision on the request, which was originally made by the California Air Resources Board in December 2005. California has special authority under the Federal Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle emissions standards that go beyond federal standards, though it must first obtain a waiver from the U.S. EPA. Other states can then choose to follow either California’s regulations or the EPA’s. California’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles would be gradually phased in starting in 2009, and by 2016 would require reductions of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles of approximately 30 percent. The fourteen other states poised to adopt the California standards will join as interveners in the lawsuit. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger warned the federal government six months earlier that the state would file the suit if the U.S. EPA continued to delay action on the waiver request. The EPA has repeatedly stated that it will reach a decision by the end of 2007.

Press Release
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards

Colorado Governor Announces Climate Action Plan

On November 7, 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter released Colorado’s Climate Action Plan. Under the plan, the Governor will issue an executive order by the end of the year establishing a statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions target of 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and an 80 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2050. The plan also urges accelerated federal investments in clean coal technologies and state investments in clean coal technologies. Other actions under the plan include an agricultural carbon offset program, Colorado’s adoption of California’s vehicle GHG emissions standards, an Industrial Energy Efficiency Program for large industrial emitters, and mandatory reporting of GHG emissions by major emitters. The Colorado plan also addresses adaptation measures, with a primary focus on water resources and forestry.

Press Release
Colorado Climate Action Plan

United States Conference of Mayors Holds Climate Protection Summit

On November 1-2, 2007, 100 mayors attended the 2007 Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle, Washington. At the Summit, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) announced a new partnership. All 1,100 cities in the USCM will have the opportunity to purchase energy-efficient and clean-energy products and technologies through CCI’s existing purchasing consortium. Mayors at the conference also urged Congress to complete energy efficiency legislation by the end of the year. As of November 2007, 710 mayors, representing 25 percent of the U.S. population, have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Signatories commit to reduce the carbon emissions of their communities seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012, in line with targets proposed for the United States as a whole under the Kyoto Protocol.

Press Release
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Clinton Climate Initiative

Ten U.S. States Join in Forming International Carbon Action Partnership

On October 29, 2007, a number of governments from around the world announced the formation of the International Carbon Action Partnership. Each of the member governments has either established or is in the process of designing cap and trade systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Partnership will provide a forum for members to share experiences, research, and best practices on the design of trading schemes. This will help the different trading systems develop in a compatible manner to facilitate the transition to a potential global carbon market in the future. The 10 U.S. state members are Arizona, California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. The other members include nine European Union countries, the European Commission, two Canadian provinces, New Zealand and Norway.

Press Release
International Carbon Action Partnership

California Air Resources Board Approves Early Measures to Help Reduce Emissions

The California Air Resources Board announced a set of early measures to help bring the state closer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, as required by California law under AB 32. The new regulations will go into effect in 2010 and will affect the trucking, cement, aluminum, and semiconductor industries as well as ports, consumer aerosol products, and tire inflation requirements. These measures are expected to reduce emissions about 3 million metric tons annually. The board also accepted rules developed by the California Climate Action Registry to standardize the methodology used by nonprofit groups to quantify the carbon credit granted for growing trees or changing management practices. Rules for state, corporate, or private forest practices are not yet developed.

Press Release
California Air Resources Board

Kansas Rejects Power Plant Due to Carbon Emissions

On October 18th, 2007, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Roderick Bremby rejected an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant based on the threat to public health and the environment of carbon dioxide emissions. In the past, air permits have been denied over emissions such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, but this marks the first rejection based on impacts from carbon dioxide emissions. The decision was based in part on an April Supreme Court decision that greenhouse gasses should be considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The plant was expected to produce 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Press Release

California Governor Signs Ten Energy Bills

In the first half of October 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed 10 bills promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 (AB 1470) requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to create financial incentives for solar hot water systems that will replace the use of natural gas water heaters. Similar incentives already exist for replacing electric hot water heaters under the California Solar Initiative. The incentives will be funded by a surcharge on the bills of most natural gas customers. A second bill, AB 1109, requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to adopt energy efficiency standards for general purpose lights, and is expected to phase out the use of incandescent light bulbs in the state. Under AB 662 and AB 1560, the CEC is allowed to set water standards for appliances and required to incorporate water standards into the state’s existing building standards. For utilities, AB 1103 requires record keeping of energy use for nonresidential buildings, and AB 1613 authorizes the CPUC to require that utilities buy excess power from combined heat and power systems. AB 118 establishes a $2 raise in vehicle registration fees to fund the new Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, which will provide financial assistance to develop and deploy low carbon fuels and vehicles. AB 809 limits the use of state funds for hydrogen vehicles and expands the state’s definition of hydropower eligible for renewable energy requirements to include hydropower installed in water supply systems and incremental efficiency improvements at existing facilities. AB 532 extends the original deadline established in 2001 legislation (SBX2 82) for existing state buildings and parking facilities to install solar energy systems where feasible from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2009. All new state buildings or parking facilities will also have to install solar energy systems where feasible if construction begins on or after January 1, 2008, extended in AB 532 from the original date of January 1, 2003. Finally, SB 1036 eliminates the Renewable Resource Trust Fund and refunds customers.

Governer's Press Release
Legislation: AB 1470, AB 1109, AB 662, AB 1103, AB 1560, AB 118,
AB 809, AB 532, AB 1613, SB 1036

Alaska Establishes Climate Change Sub-Cabinet

On September 14, 2007, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed Administrative Order 238, establishing the Climate Change Sub-Cabinet. The sub-cabinet will consolidate the state’s knowledge of climate change in order to recommend policies and measures to guide the state’s mitigation and adaptation efforts. It includes the commissioners of the Departments of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Natural Resources; Fish and Game; Transportation and Public Facilities; and Environmental Conservation (Chair). The Administrative Order also directs the group to consult with the president of the University of Alaska and explore ways to promote development of renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind, hydroelectric, and tidal resources. Governor also signed a letter adding Alaska as an observer to the Western Climate Initiative.

Press Release
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions and Advisory Groups

Virginia Announces Statewide Energy Plan

On September 12, 2007, Governor Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia released the Virginia Energy Plan. The Plan aims to increase the state’s energy independence, conservation, and efficiency, and was drafted pursuant to 2006 legislation which directed the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy to develop a ten-year state energy plan. The recommendations were prepared by an advisory group representing citizens, consumers, the environmental community, and Virginia energy producers. The primary goals of the plan are to reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025, and increase in-state energy production by 20 percent. The Plan also recommends consumer energy education, strategic economic development, alternative energy research, and the creation of a Climate Change Commission to assess the level of Virginia’s carbon emissions, related consequences, and potential further action. The Plan is to be updated every 5 years.

Press Release
Virginia Energy Plan
Map of States witih Climate Action Plans

Court Upholds Vermont’s Vehicle Emissions Standards

On September 12, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont decided case number 2:05-cv-302 against a group of automobile manufacturers challenging Vermont’s vehicle emissions standards for greenhouse gases. In August of 2005, the Vermont Air Pollution Control Division introduced an amendment to Vermont’s vehicle regulations. The amendment would require the state to adopt California’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. The standards would be gradually phased in between model-years 2009 and 2016, and by model-year 2016, would require reductions of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles of approximately 30 percent. Vermont and 13 other states are poised to adopt the California standards. During the trial, auto industry executives argued that the proposed regulations would fail to stop global warming while imposing heavy costs for the industry. In issuing his ruling, Judge William Sessions III cited public statements of industry representatives, the state of the record, and the ingenuity of the industry in facing previous challenges. A similar legal challenge is still pending in California.

Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards
Read the Decision

Illinois Enacts Standards for Renewable Energy and Efficiency

On August 28, 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois signed into law Public Act 095-0481, which sets a statewide Renewable Energy Standard and an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. Under the RES, utilities in Illinois must produce a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, starting with 2 percent in 2008 and increasing to 25 percent by 2025. Seventy-five percent of the electricity used to meet the renewable standard must come from wind power generation; other eligible electricity resources include solar, biomass, and existing hydropower sources. The law also includes an efficiency standard that requires utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures to reduce electric usage by 2 percent of demand by 2015.

Public Act 095-0481
Press Release
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Western Climate Initiative Announces Regional Emissions Target

On August 22, 2007, members of the Western Climate Initiative announced a regional, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions target of 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, or approximately 33 percent below business-as-usual levels. Under the memorandum of understanding developed in February 2007, WCI members (which currently include the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba) agreed to jointly set a regional emissions target, and establish, by August 2008, a market-based system – such as a cap-and-trade program covering multiple economic sectors – to aid in meeting it. The regional target is designed to be consistent with existing targets set by individual member states and does not replace these goals. Covered emissions include the six primary greenhouse gases identified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

Western Climate Initiative Statement of Regional Goal
Western Climate Initiative Website
Map of Regional Initiatives

North Carolina Becomes 25th State to Enact Renewable Portfolio Standard

On August 20, 2007, Governor Mike Easley of North Carolina signed into law S.L. 2007-397, which establishes a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard for the state. With enactment of the law, half the U.S. states and the District of Columbia now have mandatory renewable energy standards. Under North Carolina's law, by 2021 electric public utilities must meet 12.5% of retail electricity demand through renewable energy or energy efficiency measures, and electric membership corporations and municipalities that sell electric power in the state would have to meet a standard of 10 percent by 2018. Resources that can be used to meet the standard include solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, ocean current or wave energy, biomass resources, and energy efficiency measures. The law also includes provisions to encourage the use of solar energy, swine and poultry wastes, as well as implementation of energy efficiency programs.

S.L. 2007-397

Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Oregon Governor Enacts GHG Emissions Target

On August 6, 2007, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed House Bill 3543, which sets greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. HB 3543 directs the state to stop the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 and to reduce GHG emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill creates the Oregon Global Warming Commission to recommend to state and local governments ways to reduce GHG emissions and measures the state may adopt to mitigate the impacts of global warming. By March of every other year, starting in 2009, the Commission is to submit to the Legislative Assembly a report of the state’s progress towards its GHG emissions reduction goal. HB 3543 creates the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, which is charged to facilitate research by Oregon University System faculty on climate change and its effects. The bill allocates $180,000 to the Climate Change Research Institute.

HB 3543
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets
Map of States with Active Climate Commissions and Advisory Groups


Delaware Governor Expands State’s Existing Renewable Portfolio Standard

On July 24, 2007, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed Senate Bill 19, which expands the state’s existing renewable portfolio standard to require that 2 percent of the state’s electricity supply come from solar photovoltaics by 2019, in addition to 18 percent from other renewable sources by the same date. Sources of energy that count toward the standard include wind, ocean tidal, ocean thermal, fuel cells powered by renewable fuels, hydroelectric facilities with a maximum capacity of 30 megawatts, sustainable biomass, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas.

SB 19
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Florida Governor Signs Three Climate Change Related Executive Orders

On July 13, 2007, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed three climate change related executive orders. EO 07-126 sets GHG emission reduction targets for state agencies and departments of 10 percent below current levels by 2012, 25 percent below by 2017, and 40 percent below by 2025. The order adopts the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards for all new state government facilities and all existing buildings owned by the Department of Management Services. EO 07-126 requires state-owned vehicles to be more fuel efficient and to use ethanol and biodiesel fuels when available. EO 07-127 sets statewide GHG emission reduction targets of 2000 levels by 2017, 1990 levels by 2025, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The order directs the Florida Secretary of Environmental Protection to immediately develop rules to adopt the California motor vehicle GHG emission standards. The Florida Energy Code for Building Construction will be revised to increase the energy performance of new construction by at least 15 percent from the 2007 Energy Code. EO 07-127 requests that the Florida Public Service Commission initiate rulemaking to 1) require that utilities produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources and 2) to authorize statewide net metering. Executive Order 07-128 creates the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change to develop an Energy and Climate Change Action Plan to recommend ways to meet the new GHG reduction targets.

Press Release
Executive Orders: 07-126, 07-127, 07-128
Maps of States with: GHG emission targets, Climate Action Plans, Climate Change Commissions and Advisory Groups, Net Metering Programs, Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards, Green Building Standards for State Buildings, Commercial Energy Codes


New Jersey Governor Signs Global Warming Response Act

On July 6, 2007, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law the Global Warming Response Act, A3301, which sets greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. The legislation limits the level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generated outside the state but consumed in the state, to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050. These targets were previously set in Executive Order 54 which the Governor signed in February. A3301 directs the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner to make specific recommendations to the Governor on how to meet the targets while taking into account the economic benefits and costs of implementing these recommendations. The legislation directs the DEP to develop a 1990 greenhouse gas emission inventory and a system for monitoring current greenhouse gas levels.

Press Release
A3301
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

Oregon Enacts Renewable Fuel Standard

On June 6, 2007, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed Senate Bill 838, adopting a renewable electricity portfolio standard for the state. SB 838 requires the state’s largest utilities to meet 25 percent of their electric load with new renewable energy sources by 2025. The bill includes interim targets of 5 percent by 2011; 15 percent by 2015; 20 percent by 2020; and 25 percent by 2025. Sources of energy that count toward the standard include wind, solar, wave, geothermal, biomass, new hydro or efficiency upgrades to existing hydro facilities. Utilities are not required to comply with the standard if doing so will result in retail electricity price increases of more than 4 percent. If none of a utility’s options for compliance are cost-effective, they can make an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) to help meet their renewable energy requirement. The level of the ACP will be determined by the Public Utility Commission and will be set to provide adequate incentive for the utility company to generate qualifying renewable electricity instead of using an ACP payment to meet the renewable portfolio standard. The ACP will be placed into an account that can be used in the future to acquire renewable energy, invest in conservation or, for consumer-owned utilities, research and development.

Press Release
SB 838
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Minnesota Governor Signs Next Generation Energy Act

On May 25, 2007, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law the Next Generation Energy Act. The legislation will increase energy efficiency, expand community-based energy development, and establish statewide GHG emission reduction goals of 15% by 2015, 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050, based on 2005 levels. The bill charges the Governor's previously formed Climate Change Advisory Group with developing a comprehensive GHG emission reduction plan to meet these goals. By 2010, the law sets a goal of having 1,000 Energy Star Buildings in Minnesota and provides funding to achieve this goal. The Next Generation Energy Act supplements legislation passed earlier this year mandating that 25% of Minnesota’s power come from renewable sources by 2025.

Press Release
Read the Legislation
Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

Utah Joins Western Regional Climate Action Initiative

On May 21, 2007, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. announced that Utah will become the sixth state to join the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, a joint effort to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change established in February 2007 by the governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. The Canadian Province of British Columbia joined the initiative in April of 2007. Under the agreement, the six states and B.C. will jointly set a regional emissions target by August 2007, and by August 2008 will establish a market-based system – such as a cap-and-trade program covering multiple economic sectors – to aid in meeting the target. The participants will also set up an emissions registry and tracking system.

Press Release
Map of Regional Initiatives

Montana Adopts a CO₂ Emissions Performance Standard for New Electricity Plants

On May 14, 2007, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer signed HB 25, adopting a CO₂ emissions performance standard for electric generating units in the state. HB 25 prohibits the state Public Utility Commission from approving electric generating units primarily fueled by coal unless a minimum of 50% of the CO₂ produced by the facility is captured and sequestered. The bill applies only to electric generating units constructed after January 1, 2007. With the signing of HB 25, Montana joins California, Oregon, and Washington as states that have adopted a CO₂ emissions
performance standard for electric generating units.

Governor's Signing Statement
HB 25

Sixteen Cities to Work with Clinton Foundation on Energy Conservation Program

On May 16, 2007, former President Bill Clinton announced the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit program, a partnership between the Clinton Climate Initiative, four multinational energy service companies, five global banks, and 16 major cities around the world to significantly reduce energy use in municipal buildings. Under the program, participating cities will retrofit their municipal buildings with more efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, reflective roofs, and other efficiency measures and products. These upgrades are expected to reduce these buildings’ energy use by between 20 and 50 percent. Energy audits and building retrofits will be undertaken by Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Inc., Siemans, and Trane. The five participating banks – ABN AMRO, Citi, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and UBS – have agreed to contribute $1 billion each to help finance the project, and cities will repay the bank loans with their energy cost savings. The 16 cities initially participating in the program include Bangkok, Berlin, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, Karachi, London, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, New York, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, and Toronto.

Press Release
Read "Towards a Climate-Friendly Built Environment"

New Hampshire Governor Signs Renewable Energy Act

On May 11, 2007, Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire signed into law HB 873, the Renewable Energy Act, which establishes a renewable energy portfolio standard for the state. House Bill 873 mandates that 25% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2025, a goal Governor Lynch had previously set for New Hampshire. Under the new law, electricity providers must provide a minimum specified percentage of electricity from renewable sources starting in 2008 and increasing every year through 2025. New development of wind, biomass and geothermal power, as well as job creation is expected in the state as a result of the law.

Press Release
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards
HB 873

Over 30 States Establish Greenhouse Gas Registry

On May 8, 2007, more than 30 states signed on as charter members of The Climate Registry, a collaboration aimed at developing a common system for entities to report greenhouse gas emissions. The Registry will serve as a tool to measure, track, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions consistently and transparently between states. Voluntary, market-based and regulatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting programs are all supported under the Registry. The founding member states and tribes include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation. The Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba have also joined the Registry. This collaboration is the largest national effort to date to track greenhouse gas emissions.

Press Release
Climate Registry Website
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Registries

Washington State Sets Statewide GHG Emissions Targets, Performance Standard for Electricity

On May 3, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington signed SB 6001, setting into law statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals and strategies originally announced in a February 2007 executive order. The new law commits Washington to reduce statewide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2035, and 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, as well as to the creation of thousands of new jobs in the clean energy sector by 2020. The bill directs the Governor’s office to develop policy recommendations for how the state can achieve these goals, including, among others, the possible implementation of market mechanisms such as a cap and trade system, carbon sequestration projects, replacing high-emitting electricity generation with newer technologies, and the improvement of regulatory and tax policies. The recommendations must be submitted to the legislature for consideration in 2008. SB 6001 also establishes a GHG performance standard for all new, long-term baseload electric power generation. Under the standard, all baseload generation for which utilities enter into long-term contracts must meet a greehouse gas emissions standard of 1,100 pounds per megawatt-hour beginning in July 2008.

Press Release
SB 6001
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

Iowa Establishes Climate Advisory Council, GHG Emissions Registry

On April 27, 2007, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed SF 485, establishing a Climate Change Advisory Council that will be composed of a range of Governor-appointed stakeholders, as well as members of the legislature. The council is charged with developing a range of scenarios for reductions of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, including the possibility of cutting emissions 50 percent by 2050, and recommending the best strategies for statewide emissions reductions. The council will submit its recommendations to the governor and the general assembly by January 1, 2008. SF 485 also creates a voluntary greenhouse gas registry to aid with the tracking and crediting of entities in the state that reduce their GHG emissions or that implement energy efficiency measures. The bill also requires the state to consider GHG emissions in reviewing proposals for new power plants.

SF 485
Press Release
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

Maryland Adopts California Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards, Creates Green Building Council, Adopts New Solar Energy Standard

On April 24, 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley signed SB 103, the Maryland Clean Cars Act, officially pledging Maryland to adopt California’s greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles. California’s standards are set to begin in the 2009 model year for cars and trucks and mandate a 22 percent reduction of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by the 2012 model year and a 30 percent reduction by the 2016 model year. Maryland will adopt similar standards for all vehicles sold and registered in the state beginning in 2011. The Act also establishes a Clean Car and Energy Policy Task Force to study vehicle emissions policies in other states, emerging technologies, and recommend strategies for alternative fuels and efficiency measures to improve state air quality.

On the same day Governor O’Malley signed two additional pieces of legislation to promote building efficiency and solar energy use. The first bill, SB 332 creates the Maryland Green Building Council, which will advise the governor and state legislators on how to use green building principles in state construction projects. The second, SB 595, expands Maryland’s existing renewable portfolio standard to require that 2% of the state’s electricity supply come from solar sources by 2022, in addition to 7.5% from other renewable sources by the same date. The bill also increases the maximum size of customer-owned, grid-connected power systems for net metering from 200 kilowatts to 2 megawatts and requires utilities to provide net metering for up to 1,500 megawatts overall for customer-owned generation systems. Net metering enables the sale of excess electricity back to the power grid.

Press Release
SB 103
SB 332
SB 595
Map of States Poised to Adopt California's Vehicle GHG Standards
Map of States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

British Columbia Joins Western Regional Climate Action Initiative

On April 24, 2007, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that British Columbia will become the first jurisdiction outside of the United States to join the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, a joint effort to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change established in February 2007 by the governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. Under the agreement, the five states and B.C. will jointly set a regional emissions target by August 2007, and by August 2008 will establish a market-based system – such as a cap-and-trade program covering multiple economic sectors – to aid in meeting the target. The participants will also set up an emissions registry and tracking system. The initiative builds on work already undertaken individually by the participating states and B.C., each of which has already set its own emissions reductions goals.

Press Release
Western Regional Climate Action Initiative Press Release
Map of Regional Initiatives
Map of States with Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

Maryland Officially Joins Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Establishes Climate Commission

On April 20, 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), officially joining his state to the first multi-state greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade program in the U.S. Other participants include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. As members of RGGI, states agree to a regional cap-and-trade program covering power plant carbon dioxide emissions. RGGI aims to cap these emissions at approximately current levels between 2009 and 2015, and then reduce this level 10% by 2019.

On the same day, Governor O’Malley signed an executive order establishing a Maryland Climate Change Commission that will create a state action plan to address climate change. The Commission will assess the possible impacts of climate change; calculate Maryland’s contribution to the climate change problem; work together with various state agencies, energy providers, business leaders, and other groups to develop a greenhouse gas reduction strategy; and develop a plan for reducing the state’s vulnerability to sea level rise and other effects of climate change.

Press Release
Executive Order
RGGI Website
More Information on RGGI
Map of Regional Initiatives
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group Announced

On April 20, 2007, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG), a 51-member group composed of representatives from business, utility, environmental, academic, and religious organizations. Private citizens, farmers, local government, and tribal leaders are also represented. The MCCAG is charged with developing a comprehensive set of state-level policy recommendations for reducing or sequestering greenhouse gas emissions. The Advisory Group will also identify opportunities to promote energy-efficient technologies and clean, renewable energy resources that will enhance economic growth. The formation of MCCAG was a key component of the state’s Next Generation Energy Initiative, signed on December 12, 2006, which calls for more renewable energy, more energy conservation and lower carbon emissions. The Advisory Group’s final report is due to the Governor and legislature by February 1, 2008.

Press Release
MCCAG Website
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

Wisconsin Governor Creates New Global Warming Task Force, Office of Energy Independence

On April 5, 2007, Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin signed two new executive orders as part of the state’s efforts to address climate change and energy issues. The first executive order creates the Task Force on Global Warming, which will investigate the potential economic and environmental impacts of climate change on Wisconsin and recommend possible solutions and strategies for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state. It will also work with other government agencies to derive an estimate of current statewide emissions. The Task Force will include members from business, industry, government, energy, and environmental organizations. In a second executive order, Governor Doyle created a new Office of Energy Independence which will coordinate efforts to bolster the state’s bioindustry, energy efficiency, and energy independence initiatives. In collaboration with Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission, the office will work with utilities to build a clean coal electric generation facility in the state.

Press Release
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

West Virginia Establishes Greenhouse Gas Inventory

On April 4, 2007, Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia signed legislation establishing a new net greenhouse gas inventory for the state that covers emissions, reductions, and sequestration of six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. The inventory covers all major stationary, area and mobile sources, such as power plants, waste combustors, natural gas/oil systems, landfills, and waste water treatment facilities, highway and non-road sources, and agricultural sources and shall account for geologic and terrestrial carbon sequestration. The legislation also creates a registry for the reporting of voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions if the reductions are made before they are required by law, and will include the development of criteria for establishing baseline emissions, quantifying emission reductions and providing public recognition of reductions.

Read the Legislation

Arkansas Governor Establishes Global Warming Commission

On April 3, 2007, Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas established a Governor's Commission on Global Warming with the signing of HB2460. The commission will study the potential impacts of climate change on the state’s environment and economy, and then recommend a global warming pollutant reduction goal and strategies for achieving it. Commission members will include representatives from the state government as well as many groups including scientific, energy, forestry, agricultural, and environmental organizations, among others. The Commission must report its findings by November 1, 2008.

Read HB2460
Map of States with Climate Change Commissions

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