INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release 2008OTP0193-001153 July 23, 2008	Office of the Premier Ministry of Environment
WCI SEEKS FEEDBACK ON DRAFT CAP-AND-TRADE PROPOSAL

VICTORIA – The partners of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released a draft design today for a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

 

The partners of the WCI plan to consider stakeholder feedback on the draft design proposal and release a final design proposal in September, which will then be reviewed by each partner for consideration.

 

The draft proposal outlines the recommended design features of a regional cap-and-trade system, including which sources should be included, essential emission reporting requirements and other program features. The full draft of the proposal is available on the WCI website at www.westernclimateinitiative.org.

 

Comments can be submitted via the WCI website through Aug. 15, 2008.

 

The WCI partners are also holding a stakeholder workshop July 29 in San Diego, California. Those who can’t attend in person can participate via an online webinar. The registration link for the workshop and the webinar is www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=622922.

 

The WCI is now the largest climate collaborative in North America, representing approximately 20 per cent of the U.S. economy, 73 per cent of Canada’s economy, and 50 per cent of all emissions in our country. The latest draft proposal from the WCI partners is a positive step forward in creating a strong and balanced cap-and-trade system in North America.

 

The WCI was created in February 2007 by the governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington with the long-term commitment to significantly reduce regional greenhouse gases and fight climate change. In April 2007, British Columbia was the first Canadian province to join. Since that time, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba in Canada and Utah and Montana in the United States have become partners as well.

 

To learn more about ways you can work towards climate change, visit www.livesmartbc.ca and for more information on the Western Climate Initiative, visit www.westernclimateinitiative.org.

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Kate Thompson Media Relations 250 953-4577
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