A couple days ago, I presented a summary of Gov. Ritter's strategy to take action within Colorado on what I view as the most critical issue facing us: global warming.
There has been a distinct lack of willingness to deal with this issue in any real way by either our state government prior to Gov. Ritter or by the federal government for some time. The good news is we the people are leading on this issue and folks grounded in reality like Gov. Ritter are now responding.
Once again, the pdf version of Ritter's plan can be found here.
I look forward to your thoughts on this matter. Onward to some details!
After talking about the big picture and eventual goals, the report then goes into what was done in the 2007 legislative session. A big thank you to Democrats in the state Congress for getting things done! Next, the plan presents some steps that need to be taken, what Ritter calls 'Bridging Strategies'. They include:
- An agricultural offset market. A Western Regional Agricultural Offset Program is being launched. In principle, I like this idea. The report does mention an important detail: "If we can create the right kind of carbon emissions trading program...". Regional states need to take a close look at the European carbon market and work against making the worst polluters even richer. Gov. Ritter has the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to work with neighboring states effectively to set this market up.
- Transportation. Ritter identifies 16 states that have adopted regulations to require emissions reductions from new vehicles. He makes a point of ensuring plenty of choices being available to consumers (again, too much input from corporations for my taste), but doesn't present the regulations being implemented. The states listed have a wide range of regulations, so I will be interested in reading what those details are.
Ritter also mentions other transportation measures, including FasTracks and state worker advances in availability of alternative transportation.
While a far cry from the Owens' administration's mantra of "More roads no matter what", I would like to see this strategy fleshed out more. I feel that mass transit is a critical piece of the puzzle. It works on multiple issues at once. I think projects like T-Rex and FasTracks show that folks (Front Rangers, anyway) recognize the benefits of mass transit and are prepared to pay for a good system.
- Electric Energy. Goals here include providing reliable and sustainable energy supplies, increasing efficiency, developing renewable energy, clean coal (ugh! no such thing), improving utility responsibility, and new power plants.
Actions I like: renewable energy development progress will be reported bi-annually to the Governor, requesting (wish this were stronger though) the PUC to seek an analysis from utilities showing how they will achieve a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020, and identify regulatory and legislative changes to provide utilities incentives to invest in renewable energy resources.
Actions I'm not too hot about: work towards clean coal technology research and development and not addressing a position about new conventional coal-fired power plants, something Democratic leaders in Kansas did just two weeks ago.
- Natural Gas development. Burning natural gas releases 43% less carbon dioxide than coal, so it's a step in the correct direction. While I'm not thrilled about continued use of a non-renewable resource, Ritter does want the oil and gas industry to address reducing methane leakage during drilling and transmission, which is a good thing.
Methane acts as a much more efficient GHG than CO2. Release of methane found in regions where tundra exists could greatly exacerbate the greenhouse efficiency of our atmosphere. Even little steps like controlling methane leakage is probably a good thing.
- Solid waste and recycling. A 'fad' continues to grow in popularity and participation. Municipalities will be "encouraged" to implement a three-bin recycling system and a 'pay as you throw' fee. While not ideal, this takes a step toward incorporating real-world costs into daily business.
- GHG reporting. A North American registry of GHG emissions is being implemented now. Reporting protocols will be introduced by year-end. This is a very good step to take. With time, reporting will become mandatory. Not only that, but the state government will work with GHG emitters.
- Lead by example. This is so strange to hear from a government official, I'm not sure what to do about it.[/snark]
Once again, I'm glad more and better Democrats got elected in 2006. This is one issue among many where real progress is being made over anything the previous folks did.
- Western Climate Initiative. Six U.S. states and two Canadian provinces are developing an emissions trading program. For now, Colorado is "observing the process". Ritter plans on lobbying Congress and the White House to set up a national trading program. (Good luck with that.) If after one year no progress has been made, Ritter plans on having Colorado join the group.
A good point is made in the paper about national markets having more consistency and fewer administrative burdens. I understand and agree with this. At this point in time however, I don't see Congress passing anything Bush won't veto. Depending on who wins the presidency next year, in a best-case scenario, a federal market won't be set up until ... what, 2010 or so? As stated above, the time for action is now. I would prefer Colorado join this program at the earliest possible date. Like now.
- Climate Education and the New Energy Economy. It's so nice to have a governor that believes in the importance of a non-ideological education system. Sustainability curricula will become standard for K-12 classrooms. (I'm waiting for the screams from the right about brainwashing our youth...) A Collaboratory between NREL, CSU, Mines, and CU will be statutorily funded, which is one of the best, practical ideas I've heard. Workforce development and a jobs cabinet will be introduced.
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The next portion of the report is something that I quite frankly was not expecting: Adaptation.
Showing just how grounded in reality Gov. Ritter is, there is a recognition that we have to adapt to whatever changes global warming brings us. With respect to water issues, he wants to set up scientific investigations, analyze water rights and compacts (that's going to be a big, tough issue), plan for drought, and set up communications to exchange up-to-date information. Forests are also on his agenda. Large wildfires pump CO2 back into the atmosphere that trees collected over the past 100 or so years. Better forest management and utilization of forest biomass without further GHG emissions are on the radar.
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The report mentions oil shale and nuclear energy as potential future energy technologies. Personally, I don't see either of these as viable in the forseeable future. We need to stay away from oil and all the deleterious effects of drilling. Until viable methods of handling nuclear waste is established and we deal in a meaningful way with the waste we already have, I don't think fission is the way of the future. The waste we've already created will affect the Earth for hundreds of thousands to millions of years. Not very impressive for the "most intelligent species".
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The report ends on a very optimistic note. In the face of grand challenges, we as a species have come up with grand solutions. I'm sick of hearing "We can't ..." from Republicans while they work to mindlessly drive up corporate profits and destroy our way of life in the meantime. I want to encourage people with innovative ideas to help create new opportunities for all of us.
To that end, a gubernatorial Climate Advisory Panel will be established by 2008 to periodically review the state of affairs and recommend actions moving forward.
I am optimistic that the 2008 Colorado legislative session will produce a large number of policies that are forward looking.
Cross-posted at SquareState