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Department of Ecology News Release - November 12, 2009
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OLYMPIA – Washington and 22 other states are working together to support federal efforts to develop a national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Western Climate Initiative representatives met Monday and Tuesday in Washington, D.C., with two other regional coalitions working to curb climate change. The other groups are the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, made up of East Coast and Mid-Atlantic states.
The groups discussed how they can work more closely together on common issues. Representatives said the coalitions’ common ground is an important asset as the nation moves toward a national climate change program.
“We’re making great progress on our initiatives and look forward to a strong partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which joined us in the meetings,” said Janice Adair, Washington’s representative to the Western Climate Initiative (WCI).
But if a national program is not established, the states say they will move ahead with their regional efforts to reduce emissions.
“Washington supports a strong federal climate program that recognizes the work the states have done and will continue to do, like efforts to increase energy efficiency,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire.
“We’re continuing our work within WCI, and we welcome collaboration with the other regional coalitions. If the federal government fails to act, Washington will help lead an emissions-reduction program that includes Western states and Canadian provinces,” Gregoire said.
At the same time, several Washington state agencies are working to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for inevitable impacts brought on by climate change.
In May 2009, Gov. Gregoire issued her Executive Order on Climate Change. In it, the Governor ordered state actions to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions, increase transportation and fuel-conservation options for Washington residents, and protect our state’s water supplies and vulnerable coastal areas.
Ted Sturdevant, director of the Washington Department of Ecology, said: “At Ecology, we’re focusing on helping emitters reduce their greenhouse gases, exploring the use of low-carbon fuels, working to ensure adequate water supplies, and joining with other agencies to address to our changing climate.”
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Information on Regional Coalitions
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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications director, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov
Learn more about Washington’s efforts to address climate change: www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm.
Read Gov. Gregoire’s Executive Order on Climate Change: www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2009EO.htm
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
