Sept. 22, 2008—Consumer, Environmental Advocates Available to Comment on Sept. 23 Release of Final Western Climate Initiative Recommendations

PORTLAND, Ore.—Sept. 22, 2008—On Tuesday Sept. 23, the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) will release its final proposal for a market-based, regional cap-and-trade system that aims to reduce global warming pollution. The final plan, created after a year of negotiation and stakeholder input, will signal how WCI Governors and Premiers intend to tackle climate change.

"The Oregon Environmental Council, Citizens Utility Board of Oregon, Climate Solutions, Renewable Northwest Project, Community Action Partnership of Oregon, Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, a project of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition commend Oregon Governor Kulongoski for his commitment to providing leadership among the Western States and for his commitment to laying the groundwork for a new energy economy which reduces global warming pollution," said Andrea Durbin, Executive Director of the Oregon Environmental Council. "While other regional and international carbon cap and trade systems are already in place, the WCI is the first of a new breed. The WCI will serve as an important model for a future cap and trade system at the national level and appropriately take into account the higher mix of clean electricity resources from states like Oregon and Washington."

Policy experts from environmental and consumer organizations engaged in the WCI process will be available for comment on the final plan. Their contact information follows.

The WCI includes Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Utah, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario. The program, proposed to take effect in 2012, will be North America’s largest cap and trade program.

The WCI is the first economy-wide initiative to cap emissions from all major sources of global warming pollution including power plants, industries, transportation fuels and commercial & residential combustion.

The WCI will signal to investors that states and provinces are serious about supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency, helping to generate billions of dollars in economic development and thousands of new long-term jobs.

By putting a price on carbon, it will make clean energy cost-competitive with existing sources of power, thereby giving consumers more affordable alternatives to fossil fuels.  

Policy Expert Contacts

The following contacts have been involved with the WCI’s design process and can discuss the scope and importance of the WCI, along with cap-and-trade and other climate policy issues:

More information on WCI:

The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For 40 years, we’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms. Find out more at www.oeconline.org.