LANSING ? Gov. Jennifer Granholm has created a body aimed at trying to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions at the same time she joined other Midwest governors in launching a carbon emissions trading program and working to promote alternative fuels.
Granholm was one of 12 governors and Canadian premiers to sign an agreement Thursday that calls for a 2 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2015 and an additional 2 percent reduction each year thereafter.
And she was one of seven to agree to participate in a greenhouse gas cap and trade program.
On Wednesday, Granholm created the Climate Action Council (Executive Order ) charged with creating a climate action plan for the state. Its preliminary recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are due April 30, 2008 and its final recommendations, including any needed legislation, are due December 31, 2008.
“The strategies and technologies we develop to address climate change can be opportunities for job growth and alternative energy industry growth in Michigan,” Ms. Granholm said. “Developing clean renewable energy technologies will power Michigan into a future that will provide more energy security and reliability.”
The council is housed in the Department of Environmental Quality, but includes the directors of the departments of Agriculture, Labor and Economic Growth, Management and Budget, and Natural Resources as well as the Strategic Fund president, the Public Service Commission Chair, the state climatologist and 27 public members.
Under the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Accord, the seven participating states and provinces agreed to develop a cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gases that also takes into account prior efforts to reduce emissions. The states will also to take steps to prevent economic shifts that would simply push those emissions to non-participating states.
In addition to the participating states – Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, Canada – Indiana, Ohio and South Dakota signed on as observers. Governor Michael Rounds of South Dakota argued his state did not currently generate enough green house gases to be a full participant but wanted the option to join in the future if those emissions increased.
Nebraska and North Dakota joined the other 10 states in signing the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform, which calls for states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also finding ways to build their respective economies.
“We really recognize the Midwest has such enormous manufacturing capacity and we want to turn that manufacturing capacity loose on improving the environment of the region and the world,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.
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