The Blog

Jay Manning, Director of Department of Ecology

07/16/08

Thanks to Gov. Gregoire’s vision and commitment, Washington continues to lead in the fight against global climate change.

We’re focused on action and results. We’re pursuing a regional approach to use the strengths of the marketplace to drive innovation, create new jobs and a new economy, and control climate-changing air pollution. And we’re not adding new taxes or traditional regulatory approaches.

Among Washington’s accomplishments are:

Western Climate Initiative: Washington is now chairing this collaboration of seven Western states and four Canadian provinces to develop a regional “cap and trade” system for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In the absence of federal leadership, we are finding ways to cut the discharge of carbon dioxide and other climate-changing gases into the atmosphere.

Climate Action Team: This statewide team of private and public sector leaders is developing proposals designed to further reduce greenhouse gases. The Team is working to reduce emissions from the transportation sector (responsible for nearly half of Washington’s emissions); improve energy efficiency in homes, offices and other buildings (to reduce electricity consumption); and boost recycling rates.

Regulatory Changes: The Department of Ecology has adopted three clean-energy standards. First, we adopted an efficiency standard that fossil-fuel-burning power producers will need to meet to generate or sell their power here. Second, we adopted the nation’s first standards for permanent deep-underground injection — referred to as “sequestration” — of carbon dioxide from power plants. Third, we are the second state to adopt clean-air emission performance standards for power plants that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Together, these initiatives position Washington well for the dawning era of clean energy. We are ensuring that Washington will be a national leader in new, clean technologies and renewable, affordable energy sources. These technologies will make our environment and economy the envy of states and countries that choose instead the economy of the past.