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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Cappin’ and Tradin’ – Western Climate Plan Unveiled

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008   

Seattle, WA – Conservation groups in Washington are calling it an important step toward cleaner air in the West – and a mixed blessing, as well. The Western Climate Initiative (WCI), a coalition of seven Western states and four Canadian provinces, has unveiled its new, two-phase plan to reduce global warming pollution.

The first phase is a regional cap-and-trade system beginning in the year 2010, allowing industries to buy and sell carbon credits, which encourages them to clean up pollution rather than pay for credits.

The second phase, regulating fuel emissions, doesn't start until 2015. Doug Howell, Northwest Regional Director of the National Wildlife Federation, is concerned about the delay, because much of the air pollution in Washington comes from tailpipes.

"We are now delaying for an additional three years, which won't even begin until seven years from now, before we actually start regulating petroleum. It's hard to conceive that they could meet their goal if they're going to wait that long to have it kick into place."

The WCI says it would be difficult to enact the entire plan at once. But Kathleen Ridihalgh, communications director for the Pacific Northwest Sierra Club office, says the plan is a solid start. She sees it as a way to ensure that the environment doesn't end up in the same shape as Wall Street – with a crisis that many saw coming, but failed to avert.

"We don't want to be, with global warming, where we are with our banking industry right now. So, we think responsible investments up front, putting in place the kind of market mechanisms like this WCI plan, are very important for preventing that crisis."

Ridihalgh notes that Washington is already ahead of most states in terms of conservation and energy efficiency, and she believes the WCI plan should add momentum to those efforts.

Critics of the plan point out that it was a compromise, and that not all the Western states signed on. Some believe it would be easier to tax companies for their emissions, and use the money to fund energy-efficiency projects. Howell says selling carbon credits can accomplish the same goal, however, while rewarding those companies that clean up their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Washington Legislature must still approve the plan, and will consider it in January. It can be viewed online, at
www.westernclimateinitiative.org.



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