B.C.–OREGON AGREEMENT

Memorandum of Understanding between the Province of British Columbia and the State of Oregon on Pacific Coast Collaboration to Protect Our Shared Climate and Ocean

PREAMBLE

THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THE STATE OF OREGON,

Sharing a common ocean and a strong common vision for protecting the resource and the environment of Pacific coastal jurisdictions;

Recognizing that scientific consensus has developed that increasing emissions of human-caused greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs, that are released into the atmosphere are affecting the Earth’s climate;

Recognizing that climate change could have severe environmental and economic impacts on Pacific North America in coming decades;

Agreed that action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that many of these actions can have significant economic and environmental benefits for British Columbia and Oregon;

Agreed therefore that action now is both a moral and economic imperative;

Committed to collaboration with other North American governments, such as through the Western Climate Initiative and the Climate Registry, to maximize the impact of our joint actions on climate change, and protect and maintain the health and productivity of our oceans;

Agreed that the full engagement of our governments on climate change with citizens, leaders from business, communities, British Columbia First Nations and Oregon Tribes, environmental advocates, the academic and scientific community, and federal and local governments is crucial to fostering a new personal conservation ethic and to ultimate success;

Sharing a common vision of Pacific Coast jurisdictions as the world leader in sustainable technologies and sustainable living;

NOW THEREFORE HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

Action on Climate Change

I. British Columbia and Oregon commit to work together to:

A. Cap greenhouse gas emissions.

Ensure the success of regional efforts to combat global warming by active engagement in the Western Climate Initiative, an ambitious collaboration to develop a cap and trade system for Western North America, as well as other market-based mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the Western Climate Initiative, both jurisdictions have committed to the regional goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and have also committed to ambitious individual provincial and state goals. British Columbia and Oregon will also continue to work with the other Western Climate Initiative jurisdictions to develop other strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the transportation sector.

B. Reduce greenhouse gases from the transportation sector.

Explore cleaner transportation solutions, including biofuels, innovative engine technologies and transportation strategies, and the adoption of a low carbon fuel standard and greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions standards in British Columbia and Oregon that would be consistent with California laws and regulations.

C. Pursue aggressive clean and renewable energy policies.

Support and adopt policies to create more renewable energy development, with a particular joint focus on policies to promote our shared interest in the promising ocean renewable energy sector.

D. Build a Pacific “Hydrogen Highway.”

Promote collaboration on promising hydrogen and fuel cell technology and explore developing hydrogen fueling infrastructure so that by 2010, a hydrogen-fueled vehicle can travel and refuel from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to California.

E. Combine efforts to improve air quality.

Explore policies to reduce pollution from traffic along the Pacific highway and ports corridors, including support for measures which reduce truck idling such as electrification of truck stops, congestion reduction, and smart community growth.

F. Climate Change Adaptation.

Build regional capacity to understand and address the challenges posed by climate change to Pacific coastal jurisdictions by enhancing and coordinating within our jurisdictions climate monitoring networks, regional centers of applied climate science and regional emergency planning.

Action on our Shared Pacific Ocean

II. British Columbia and Oregon commit to work together to:

A. Share information about coastal and ocean resources.

Share research and information gained through our existing and expanding ocean observation systems with a particular focus on sharing research regarding near-shore species and habitats.

B. Cooperate on environmental protection at our ports.

Cooperate on environmental protection at our ports to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and combat entry of non-native invasive marine species.

C. Keep our ocean clean.

Work together to keep our common ocean clean, including efforts to decrease non-point source pollution and to respond effectively to oil spills.

Partnerships

III. British Columbia and Oregon commit to work together to:

A. Form alliances with leaders from business, British Columbia First Nations and Oregon tribes, environmental advocates, and scientists, and work with federal and local governments, to assist with the accomplishment of climate change goals.

B. Foster collaborative academic and industry research, development and commercialization activities delivering the technology solutions necessary to accomplish climate change goals.

Action on Additional Areas for Mutual Benefit

IV. British Columbia and Oregon commit to work together to:

A. Investigate using an integrated ecosystems marketplace to create economic opportunities and incentives to sustain our natural environments and the range of services they provide.

B. Establish a framework for leadership and cooperative action on additional areas of mutual interest and benefit for the Pacific coast region, such as:

· Clean Energy;

· Regional transportation;

· Innovation, research and development;

· Enhancing a sustainable regional economy, especially with respect to environmental good and services;

· Emergency management; and

· Other areas as determined that would benefit from cooperative action.

Limitations

V. The undersigned signatories agree that this Memorandum of Understanding shall have no legal effect or impose a legally binding obligation on either British Columbia or Oregon. Neither British Columbia nor Oregon shall be responsible for the actions of third parties or associates who may participate in activities outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding.

AGREED as to form and content and signed and dated in two (2) duplicate originals in Vancouver, British Columbia this 23rd day of October, 2007.

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Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218	Patty Wentz Office of the Governor of Oregon 503 378-6169

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