Press Release- May 08, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
COLORADO JOINS 30-STATE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFORT
Climate Registry to serve as North American platform to track greenhouse gas emissions
Colorado joined 29 other states today as charter members of The Climate Registry, marking the largest multi-state effort to address climate change. The list of charter members includes the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation. Two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, have also committed to participate.
The voluntary registry will assist in measuring, tracking and verifying emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the gases that cause climate change. It will also provide the measurement and reporting infrastructure to support voluntary, mandatory, market-based and emissions reduction programs that are consistent across borders and industry sectors. The Registry will accept reporting data in January 2008.
"Participating in The Climate Registry is a critical step forward in Colorado's efforts to address climate change," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "We can only manage what we can effectively measure. Getting accurate data on GHG emissions is a vital first step towards addressing the impacts of climate change in Colorado. It also makes sense for states to share resources and synchronize our programs."
Gov. Ritter last month named Heidi VanGenderen as state government's first policy adviser on climate change. VanGenderen started in her new position on May 1 and soon will begin crafting a statewide climate change action plan.
Additional background information about the registry: