Originally published Monday, January 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Editorial
Building a response to climate change
News accounts of the frightful consequences of climate change are finally being offset by political progress on global warming.
News accounts of the frightful consequences of climate change are finally being offset by political progress on global warming.
Gov. Christine Gregoire has presented legislators in Olympia with the building blocks for a regional system to roll back greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Washington is part of the Western Climate Initiative, through which several states and Canadian provinces will eventually set a cap on emissions and create an exchange system that allows credits to be traded as business, industry and government work to achieve emission reductions.
The legislation seeks to set emission thresholds that identify who needs to report, establish the protocols that measure emissions, and standardize reporting requirements and procedures — everyone talking the same lang-uage.
An estimated 100 to 150 emitters would be affected by a threshold of 10,000 metric tons of annual greenhouse-gas emissions. Maybe the refinery at Cherry Point comes to mind, but how about the University of Washington's steam plant and Sacred Heart Medical Center?
The No. 1 source of emissions in the region is transportation. The governor's legislation would cover vehicle fleets of, perhaps, 150 to 200 cars — 2,500 metric tons of annual emissions. State agencies would have to comply. So would police departments and school-bus fleets that cross the threshold established in the final legislation.
Lawmakers ought to keep two points in mind: Stay focused on making progress toward the goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions; legislation should not be larded with rewards for past behavior.
Provide business and industry with the help, advice and consultation necessary to make their tasks of compliance and reporting easier. Take all necessary steps to explain, promote and encourage greenhouse-gas reductions.
Reporting on 2009 would start in 2010. These are the building blocks of a model response to global warming.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- Two men in Everett shoot each other early today
- Steve Kelley | Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
- Mariners Blog | Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
- As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Bellevue Blog | Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Husky Men's Basketball Blog | An interview with Enes Kanter's coach
- Illegal workers quietly let go
442 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
248 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
231 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
199 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
149 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
138 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
85 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
81 - Man shoots self at Westlake Center
71 - Teen pimp found guilty of human trafficking
55
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'





