NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008OTP0234-001443 Sept. 23, 2008	Office of the Premier Ministry of Environment
WCI CAP AND TRADE PROGRAM WILL LAUNCH GREEN ECONOMY

VICTORIA – The partners of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released a proposed design today for a comprehensive regional cap and trade program to reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

 

“The cap and trade program recommended by the WCI is an important milestone, and it will now be reviewed by each of the 11 partners for consideration,” said Premier Campbell. “When adopted after extensive collaboration and discussion, the cap and trade program will work in harmony with B.C.’s tax regime to slash climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions, spur growth in new green technologies and help build a cleaner, more energy self-sufficient economy.”

 

The WCI proposed design contains a number of recommendations, including which greenhouse gas sources should be included in a regional cap and trade system, implementation time frames, emission reporting requirements, carbon offsets, compliance and enforcement and other program features. A copy of the proposal is available on the WCI website at www.westernclimateinitiative.org.

 

            The design balances principles adopted by the WCI partner jurisdictions to maximize total benefits throughout the region, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying energy sources, and advancing economic, environmental and public health objectives by also reducing other harmful pollutants.

 

“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 greenhouse gas emissions in our country,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “All of the WCI partner economies will need clean energy technologies and verifiable carbon offsets. B.C. is well positioned to provide these solutions to our partners, attracting new investment and jobs to communities across the province in the process.”

 

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 to save money and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, visit www.livesmartbc.ca and for more information on the Western Climate Initiative, visit www.westernclimateinitiative.org.

 

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Kate Thompson Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 953-4577
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