THE WESTERN CLIMATE INITIATIVE (WCI) 

The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration which was launched in February 2007 by the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington to develop regional strategies to address climate change. WCI is identifying, evaluating and implementing collective and cooperative ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the region. In the spring of  2007, the Governor of Utah and the Premiers of British Columbia and Manitoba joined the Initiative. Montana joined in January, 2008 and Quebec moved from Observer to Partner status in April, 2008. Other US and Mexican states and Canadian provinces have joined as observers. For a map showing Partners and Observers click here.

Through WCI, the Partners set an overall regional goal in August 2007 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (see the GHG Reduction Goal Statement). By August 2008 the Partners will also complete the design of a market-based mechanism to help achieve that reduction goal. The partners developed a Workplan to guide their work and are seeking public input throughout the process.

Upcoming! The Economic Modeling Team is hosting a teleconference and Webinar on Monday May 12, 2008 to discuss forthcoming initial modeling runs and the reference case scenario. Click here or the Economic Analysis button at left to learn more.

WCI's initial draft design recommendations from the Allocations, Offsets and Reporting Subcommittees are available for public review and comment.  These draft recommendations are listed on the WCI Documents section of the website [click here] along with the Electricity and Scope drafts released earlier. Two Stakeholder calls were held April 8 and 9 to review these recommendations and get public input.  Comments on these draft recommendations were due April 16, however, WCI is accepting late comments. (Use the Submit Comments button at left.) To view public comments submitted on the initial recommendations for each subcommittee click here.

Registration for WCI's Second Stakeholder Workshop, May 21 in Salt Lake City, Utah is available at: www.regonline.com/63342_608730M  (Information about hotel reservations and airport transporation is included.)

WCI has released its Scope of Work for Economic Analysis [Click here.] Several stakeholder calls are part of this work. Details are available at the Economic Analysis section of the website. (Click here or  button at left).  

WCI Chairs' Message to Stakeholders with Process and Timeline for Public Reveiw and Comments on Work Products and Draft Recommendations  Click here for a copy of the letter from WCI Chair Janice Adair and Co-Chair Steve Owens and the timeline for continued stakeholder involvement. 

Participants:
The WCI Partners have each assigned staff from environmental agencies and the Governor’s and Premier’s offices to undertake the work of creating a cap and trade program for the western region. For a list of the participants and the Subcommittees on which they work click here.
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