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Department of Ecology News Release - May 08, 2007
07-117
OLYMPIA - Washington is among the founders of The Climate Registry, a national collaborative effort to develop and manage a common voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reporting system.
The Climate Registry, formally announced today, will assist states and tribes in measuring, tracking, and managing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Climate Registry will provide the measurement and reporting infrastructure to support a wide range of voluntary state and regional programs designed to manage and reduce GHG emissions.
Washington's involvement with the registry is linked to the state's participation in the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative. Washington is working with Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia to coordinate efforts to reduce GHG emissions on a regional basis, and to promote the development and use of clean and renewable energy.
"By working together, we will combine our resources to create a common tracking system for greenhouse gases. This system will help our multi-state efforts to reduce those emissions be successful and will allow businesses to track their efforts," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "We have already taken steps to strengthen emission standards, build the biofuels industry and promote renewable sources of energy. Each step helps us to reduce our climate pollution, grow jobs and move toward energy independence."
Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning said, "Governor Gregoire and the Legislature set ambitious but attainable goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Washington. But you can't manage emissions unless you measure them."
"Having common measurement standards and reporting systems is a key for states and provinces to work together. Using common systems across state lines saves money for entities that choose to report and ensures a high level of integrity and accuracy for measuring and reporting emissions," Manning said.
Gov. Gregoire signed the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative on Feb. 26. On Feb. 7, she issued Executive Order 07-02 on Washington's Climate Change Challenge, which sets goals for emissions reductions, increased use of clean and renewable energy, added jobs in the clean-energy sector, and decreased dependence on foreign oil.
The Climate Registry will provide states and tribes with third-party-verified, accurate emissions information that is consistent across borders and industry sectors. Some states also plan to use The Climate Registry to support market-based programs and emissions reductions programs. The goal is to have the Registry functional on Jan. 1, 2008.
Founding members thus far include: Washington, 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, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation in California.
Two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, also committed to participating in The Climate Registry.
For information on The Climate Registry and what Washington is doing about climate change, see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/.
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Contacts: Janice Adair, special assistant to Ecology Director Jay Manning, 360-407-0291 Seth Preston, public information officer, 360-407-6848; e-mail spre461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
