Gregoire urges fast action on climate change measure
On the first day of the 2008 legislative session, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced a multifaceted climate change bill that could dramatically reshape the state's economy.
The legislation proposed Monday would lay the groundwork for concrete limits on greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2012. It would give the state Department of Ecology the authority to regulate those emissions.
It would require big polluters to track their carbon dioxide releases beginning next year, with annual emissions reports starting in 2010.
And it would establish a clean jobs training fund that would start handing out money beginning next year to prepare the work force for employment in the renewable energy sector, biofuels production and other areas of green power.
"It is action. It is no longer just about goals," Gregoire told a news conference attended by major players in climate issues.
The announcement made clear that global warming would be a main focus during this election-year session. Limited to 60 days, it will be tough for lawmakers to shepherd controversial or costly laws through the convoluted legislative process.
Education, housing and transportation issues will also demand attention, as will modifications to the two-year budget that was passed last year.
Despite the time squeeze, Gregoire urged action on the global warming bill. "The future of our economy, the future of our great state is at stake," she said.
The legislation is being promoted by the state's environmental community as one of its top priorities.
"There are no 'ifs' anymore," said Becky Kelley of the Washington Environmental Council, a nonprofit group. "We're going to reduce global warming pollution in Washington state."
Environmentalists' other top items are reworking land use rules to reduce sprawl and improve mass transit, conservation of urban forests and getting locally grown foods into the schools.
While environmentalists and Democratic leaders assembled a coalition of support for the global warming bill, there's concern from the business community and Republican representatives over the financial hit the economy might take and how the rules would work.
Which businesses will be required to track and report their emissions? What sort of escape clauses will be included should the costs of meeting carbon dioxide goals get so high that jobs are lost and electricity and food prices soar? Which industries will be crowned "green" and thus deserving of support?
"The governor has left a lot of important questions unanswered and House Republicans will take the time to answer them," said Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, in a prepared statement.
Grant Nelson of the Association of Washington Business urged investments in technology to help businesses cut their emissions. "Without it," he said, "we're not going to make the progress for the goals."
King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels joined Gregoire at Monday's media event held at McKinstry Co., a Seattle business lauded for its environmentally friendly approach to mechanical construction and engineering.
They echoed the need to make the state a leader in climate-friendly industries and to set a national example.
"I want to urge the Washington state Legislature to make this job No. 1," Nickels said. "We're going to drag this country kicking and screaming into the 21st century."
Continue reading this article from the Seattle P-I:
Gregoire urges fast action on climate change measure
