Western Climate Initiative Draft Plan for Reducing Global Warming Pollution to be Released Wednesday, July 23

SAN DIEGO—On Wednesday, July 23, the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) will release its final draft recommendations for reducing global warming pollution through a market-based, regional “cap-and-trade” system. In August, WCI leaders will seek feedback on the recommendations, with a final design release planned for September.

The WCI includes Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Utah, and the four Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and the recent addition of Ontario. With legislatures in WCI states and provinces set to consider cap-and-trade system “buy-in” bills during upcoming sessions, this near-final plan is a critical glimpse of how these Governors and Premiers intend to tackle climate change.

The WCI is a landmark initiative with the potential to:

• Reduce the pollution that causes global warming
• Catalyze a prosperous clean energy economy across the region and give consumers more alternatives to fossil fuels
• Serve as a model for a larger national or even continent-wide cap-and-trade system.

The WCI draft plan will be available on July 23 at: www.westernclimateinitiative.org

Contacts:
Sallie Schullinger-Krause, Oregon Environmental Council
503.222.1963 ext. 107

Angus Duncan, Climate Solutions
503.248.1905

Jason Eisdorfer, Citizen’s Utility Board
503.227.1984

About the Oregon Environmental Council
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.