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! WCI's second major Stakeholder Workshop:
Date & Time:  Wednesday, May 21, 2008  from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Sheraton City Centre,  150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah
Agenda:  For a copy of the Agenda click here  
This workshop will also be broadcast by telephone/webinar. Please register at: www.regonline.com/63342_608730M 
For further information on the Workshop and webinar go to Meetings & Events, or click here. 

WCI's consolidated draft  recommendations will be posted here for public review and comment on May 16th.  These draft recommendations will be discussed at the May 21 workshop. Both the Workshop and teleconference/webinar provide time for stakeholder input on the recommendations. Comments may also be submitted via the website. (Use Submit Comments" button at left.)

To view public comments submitted on the initial recommendations for each subcommittee click here.

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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