Washington Governor Announces Climate Action Plan

Even as a climate change stalemate persists in Washington, D.C., the other Washington is embarking on a broad-based effort to reduce carbon pollution and expand the use of clean energy.

On Tuesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order that creates a task force on reducing carbon emissions and directs it to design a "cap-and-market" program to meet emission goals.  That program would set firm limits on carbon emissions and binding requirements to meet the limits.

Inslee's directive also orders state agencies to concentrate in five other areas:  reducing and eventually eliminating the use of coal to produce electric power; developing and promoting the use of clean transportation and transportation fuels; spurring the development and use of renewable energy; developing a "smart building program" to increase energy efficiency in public and private buildings; and cutting the state government's own carbon footprint.

By law, Washington is obligated to reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon, to 1990 levels by 2020.

Washington Governor Announces Climate Action Plan