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Office of Governor Christine Gregoire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 8, 2009
Contacts:
Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004
OLYMPIA — Gov. Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency finding on greenhouse gases:
“EPA's finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and welfare of Americans is an important step forward in addressing climate change. As I told EPA officials during their public hearing in May in Seattle, this problem is too big to ignore and requires federal action.
“Climate change threatens our economy, our ecosystems, crops, water, fisheries, and public health. The consequences of failing to act are truly staggering.
“Acting now also creates great opportunity. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require major changes in energy use around the world, and that will favor innovators. Washington state is a leader in pursuing a clean energy future that will strengthen our energy sector, grow our economy, and ultimately benefit every Washingtonian.
“We’ve adopted ‘clean car’ standards, and some of the nation’s most progressive energy efficiency and green building codes. We’ve enacted renewable energy standards and set targets in law for greenhouse gas emission reductions. We’ve renewed our tax incentives for clean energy projects — Washington is now the fifth largest generator of wind power in the country.
“Now, EPA’s finding will help accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy, while limiting the threats posed by climate change.”
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Ecology media contact: Seth Preston, 360-407-6848; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov
For more information about Climate Change: www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
