What's New List Serve Post Display

New organization of states, provinces to promote cost-effective
policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create economic
opportunities . 

Release #: 11-50
Date: 2011-11-17

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990

CONTACT:
Stanley Young
916-322-1309
916-956-9409(C)
syoung@arb.ca.gov



Air Resources Board Issues Statement of Support for North America
2050

New organization of states, provinces to promote cost-effective
policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create economic
opportunities

SACRAMENTO - Today, California Air Resources Chairman Mary D.
Nichols issued the following statement related to North America
2050.  NA2050 facilitates state and provincial efforts to design,
promote and implement cost-effective policies that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and create economic opportunities.   The
important role of NA2050 was included in the announcement last
week by the Western Climate Initiative of the formation WCI Inc.,
a new non-profit corporation formed to provide administrative and
technical services to support the implementation of state and
provincial greenhouse gas emissions trading programs.

STATEMENT:
“California, along with state and provincial representatives from
the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Western
Climate Initiative (WCI), and the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Accord (Midwest Accord), is delighted to introduce
North America 2050 (NA 2050), as the next phase of the 3-Regions
Collaborative, which began in 2009.

We have high hopes that this effort will enable our state and
provincial partners to join us in taking comprehensive action
that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and creates economic
opportunities.  Whether through adopting California's Advanced
Clean Cars program, or implementing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard,
or requiring energy efficiency audits for major industrial
polluters, or requiring electrical utilities to serve their
customers with renewable energy, there are many opportunities for
states and provinces to take real, measurable steps to cut carbon
emissions and reduce petroleum dependency.  
 
 California is continuing to work through the Western Climate
Initiative (WCI) to put in place the most comprehensive
cap-and-trade program designed to date.  After several years of
study and deliberation, the National Academy of Sciences
recommended pricing carbon emissions to drive major investments
in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies as part of a
comprehensive strategy.

Just this week, an independent study of the Regional Greenhouse
Gas Initiative (RGGI) confirmed that recommendation, finding that
the RGGI cap-and-trade program has increased economic growth and
job creation in the participating states. We are confident that
the successful track record and economic benefits of
cap-and-trade programs will encourage additional states and
provinces to join us in leading the clean energy economy.”

RESOURCES:

   1. For America’s Climate Choices, from the National Academy of
Science see:
http://dels.nas.edu/Report/Americas-Climate-Choices/12781

   2. For RGGI Study, see: http://www.analysisgroup.com/rggi.aspx
 ("The Economic Impacts of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
on Ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States," by The Analysis
Group). 
 
   3. For a fact sheet on NA2050, see:
http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/document-archives/general/North-America-2050-Fact-Sheet/

   4. For the announcement of the formation of WCI Inc. see:
http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/news-and-updates/137-western-climate-initiative-jurisdictions-establish-non-profit-corporation-to-support-greenhouse-gas-emissions-trading-programs



ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
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