By Gary Chittim
King 5 News
May 21, 2009
SEATTLE – With a large waterfront rally providing a colorful and supportive backdrop, the state of Washington and a congressional committee took big steps today on the climate change front.
Gov. Christine Gregoire signed an executive order today she says prepares the state for new laws she expects to emerge soon from Congress.
“Are we going to simply sit and do nothing and allow the status quo, or are we going to exercise the kind of leadership that is necessary in this state and for this nation to address climate change?” she said. “I think tomorrow is too late, today is possibly too late, but we’re not going to give up. We’re going to start today to make sure we lead this nation.”
Her order, in part, directs the state to identify the larger producers of greenhouse gasses in the state and to work with them to reduce emissions.
NWCN
Governor Chris Gregoire
It is based on the widely debated concept of cap and trade, which Gregoire expects Congress to adopt soon.
And Congress took a big step in that direction today. The House Climate and Energy Committee passed a bill that uses cap and trade techniques to lower 2005 greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050.
Washington Congressman Jay Inslee sits on that committee and has pushed hard for the plan, which allows companies to offset necessary emissions by investing in projects elsewhere such as tree planting and forest conservation.
Meanwhile, the EPA asked for and received dozens of comments today from local residents at a field hearing in Seattle. The vast majority of those speaking supported the EPA’s decision last month to identify greenhouse gasses as threats to human health and welfare.
Add it all up and it sets the stage for the nation’s largest push ever against climate change.