tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8076680697876513808.post-9497724371447576562008-07-24T14:50:00.000-07:002008-07-24T14:58:03.962-07:00<p>Yesterday <a href="http://www.onwardoregon.org">Onward Oregon</a>, in partnership with the <a href="http://oeconline.org/our-work/climate/global-warming-policy-solutions/the-western-climate-initiative/">Oregon Environmental Council</a>, sent out an action designed to help encourage Governor Kulongoski to toughen up on the standards of the <a href="http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/">Western Climate Initiative</a>. The standards are currently being drafted and there are local and regional stakeholders meetings coming up in the next couple days.<p/><p>Below is some of the text we sent out with the <a href="http://www.onwardoregon.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=ffIOIRMEG&b=4359031">alert</a>:</p><blockquote><p>Oregon is part of a groundbreaking regional program: the Western Climate Initiative. The WCI is developing a “cap-and-trade” program to limit greenhouse gas emissions involving seven Western States and three Canadian provinces. We need your help to ensure it’s strong enough to effectively reduce global warming pollution.</p><p>To be effective, the WCI’s proposed cap-and-trade system must limit greenhouse gas emissions from all major carbon sources. Because transportation is responsible for nearly half the region’s greenhouse gas emissions, the cap must include this sector to succeed. The WCI partners recently agreed to include transportation fuels within the cap; this was a significant step in the right direction. However, transportation fuels may be phased in at a later time, after other sectors. This approach would undermine the WCI’s potential to quickly reduce regional emissions. We must speak up now to make the program more effective. <a href="http://www.onwardoregon.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=ffIOIRMEG&b=4359031#action">Send a message to Governor Kulongoski now</a> >></p></blockquote><p>So... What are you waiting for?</p><p>More information is available <a href="http://www.onwardoregon.org/site/pp.asp?c=ffIOIRMEG&b=4359071">here</a>.</p>maloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14872724826539661862noreply@blogger.com