After the Washington State Legislature refused to adopt a cap-and-trade program championed by Governor Chris Gregoire, the Governor issued an executive order that now seeks to implement new policies that will ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Gregoire has first directed the Department of Transportation to develop strategies to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Findings and recommendations are due to the Governor by December 31, 2010.

The Governor will also work with state agencies to provide financial support to implement a project for the electrification of the West Coast interstate highway and associated metro areas. This will include requests for federal funding that will be used for the purchase of electric vehicles, and the construction of a public infrastructure for electric vehicles.

As well, the Governor has directed the Department of Ecology to develop a regional greenhouse gas emission reduction program, while prioritizing the protection of small businesses and families in the transition to a clean energy future; investments in clean energy development; and a level playing field that allows the state's businesses to fairly compete.

The state of Washington has been particularly hard-hit by the effects of climate change. According to University of Washington studies that many have cited throughout this process, the state's Cascade mountain range has lost 20 percent of its snowpack and could lose up to 60% by 2050, suggesting that such a reduction could have devastating consequences for hydropower generation, salmon survival, and farm irrigation.

Jeff