Influencing State Climate Policy
Find out what states around the country are doing to protect the climate. Below are some examples of state climate policy and climate change legislation, including individual state activities and regional collaborations between states. For a detailed list, along with more details on the examples below, see the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Send a letter to your governor, asking that he/she follow the examples set below in your own state or region. To email your governor directly, click here.
Examples of State Actions:
California Sets Aggressive Emissions Reduction Targets
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order on June 1, 2005, setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. The order directs state officials to develop plans that will reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions by 11 percent below current levels over the next five years, 25 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order on June 1, 2005, setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. The order directs state officials to develop plans that will reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions by 11 percent below current levels over the next five years, 25 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.
Colorado Governor Announces Climate Action Plan
On November 7, 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter released Colorado’s Climate Action Plan. Under the plan, the Governor will issue an executive order by the end of the year establishing a statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions target, 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
On November 7, 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter released Colorado’s Climate Action Plan. Under the plan, the Governor will issue an executive order by the end of the year establishing a statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions target, 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
Kansas Rejects Power Plant Due to Carbon Emissions
On October 18, 2007, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Roderick Bremby rejected an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant based on the threat to public health and the environment of carbon dioxide emissions. In the past, air permits have been denied over other types of emissions, but this marks the first rejection based on impacts from carbon dioxide emissions. The decision was based in part on a Supreme Court decision that greenhouse gases should be considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The plant was expected to produce 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
On October 18, 2007, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Roderick Bremby rejected an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant based on the threat to public health and the environment of carbon dioxide emissions. In the past, air permits have been denied over other types of emissions, but this marks the first rejection based on impacts from carbon dioxide emissions. The decision was based in part on a Supreme Court decision that greenhouse gases should be considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The plant was expected to produce 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Illinois Enacts Standards for Renewable Energy and Efficiency
On August 28, 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois signed a law that sets a statewide Renewable Energy Standard and an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. Under the RES, utilities in Illinois must produce a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, starting with 2 percent in 2008 and increasing to 25 percent by 2025. The law also includes an efficiency standard that requires utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures to reduce electric usage by 2 percent of demand by 2015.
On August 28, 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois signed a law that sets a statewide Renewable Energy Standard and an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. Under the RES, utilities in Illinois must produce a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, starting with 2 percent in 2008 and increasing to 25 percent by 2025. The law also includes an efficiency standard that requires utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures to reduce electric usage by 2 percent of demand by 2015.
New Jersey Governor Signs Global Warming Response Act
On July 6, 2007, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law the Global Warming Response Act, which sets greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. The legislation limits the level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generated outside the state but consumed in the state, to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.
On July 6, 2007, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law the Global Warming Response Act, which sets greenhouse gas emissions targets for the state. The legislation limits the level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generated outside the state but consumed in the state, to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.
Virginia Announces Statewide Energy Plan
On September 12, 2007, Governor Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia released the Virginia Energy Plan. The primary goals of the plan are to reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025, and increase in-state energy production by 20 percent.
On September 12, 2007, Governor Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia released the Virginia Energy Plan. The primary goals of the plan are to reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025, and increase in-state energy production by 20 percent.
Examples of Regional Partnerships:
Western Climate Initiative Sets Regional Emissions Goal
The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration of western governors and premiers of Canadian provinces to develop regional strategies to address climate change. Through WCI, the partners set an overall regional goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. By August 2008, the Partners will also complete the design of a market-based mechanism to help achieve that reduction goal. The partners have developed a workplan to guide their work and are seeking pubic input on the process. To read more about the initiative and learn about participating states, click here.
Western Climate Initiative Sets Regional Emissions Goal
The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration of western governors and premiers of Canadian provinces to develop regional strategies to address climate change. Through WCI, the partners set an overall regional goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. By August 2008, the Partners will also complete the design of a market-based mechanism to help achieve that reduction goal. The partners have developed a workplan to guide their work and are seeking pubic input on the process. To read more about the initiative and learn about participating states, click here.
Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord Sets Reduction Targets
On November 15, 2007, six states and one Canadian province established the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. Under the Accord, members agree to establish regional greenhouse gas reduction targets, including a long-term target of 60 to 80 percent below current emissions levels, and develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade system to help meet the targets. Participants will also establish a greenhouse gas emissions reductions tracking system and implement other policies, such as low-carbon fuel standards, to aid in reducing emissions. To read more about the Accord and learn about participating states, click here.
On November 15, 2007, six states and one Canadian province established the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. Under the Accord, members agree to establish regional greenhouse gas reduction targets, including a long-term target of 60 to 80 percent below current emissions levels, and develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade system to help meet the targets. Participants will also establish a greenhouse gas emissions reductions tracking system and implement other policies, such as low-carbon fuel standards, to aid in reducing emissions. To read more about the Accord and learn about participating states, click here.
Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Addresses Power Plant Emissions
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a cooperative effort by Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to discuss the design of a regional cap-and-trade program initially covering carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the region. To read more about the initiative and learn about participating states, click here.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a cooperative effort by Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to discuss the design of a regional cap-and-trade program initially covering carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the region. To read more about the initiative and learn about participating states, click here.
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