West Coast Global Warming Initiative

December 19th, 2003

REVISED DISCUSSION DRAFT
West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative
Proposed Structure

1. Background and Purpose

On September 22, 2003, the Governors of the States of California, Washington and Oregon directed their Staffs to take regional actions to address global warming. Specifically, the Staffs were directed to develop joint policy recommendations for activities that require regional cooperation and action, and present them to the three Governors by September 1, 2004. These measures serve as a starting point for joint recommendations and include ways the West Coast states can work together to:

1. Use the states' combined purchasing power to obtain fuel-efficient vehicles and low-rolling resistance tires for motor pool fleets. For example, the states are working on a uniform specification for the purchase of hybrid vehicles.
2. Reduce emissions from diesel fuel in transportation through reductions in the use of diesel generators in ships at west coast ports, and in the use of diesel engines in trucks by creating a system of emission-free truck stops along the Interstate 5 corridor that stretches from Mexico to Canada.
3. Remove barriers to and encourage the development of renewable electricity generation resources and technologies.
4. Improve efficiency standards with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the states could work together to upgrade appliance efficiency standards and seek waivers of federal limitations where necessary.
5. Develop consistent and coordinated greenhouse gas emission inventories, protocols for standard reporting, and accounting methods for greenhouse gas emissions; and collaborate on improved scientific tools to more precisely measure the impact of climate change.

Staff shall develop their recommendations in consultation and cooperation with all interested stakeholders and the public. The remainder of this document discusses the mission and structure of this initiative.

2. Mission

The mission of the West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative is to work regionally and individually to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below current levels through strategies that foster economic development. The states will take short-term, immediate actions, and formulate a broader, long-term vision to address climate change. The longer term strategy will examine setting targets and timetables that reflect the significant reductions called for by scientists to stabilize the climate.

The benefits of this tri-state initiative are both economic and environmental:

• Reducing fossil fuel use provides a hedge against the price effects of oil and natural gas supply disruptions;
• Addressing global warming positions the three states to become global leaders;
• Job creation and investment opportunities are stimulated through renewable energy; energy efficiency, and innovative control technologies;
• Strategies to address global warming protects public health and the environment, significantly reducing health care costs and other environmental damages;
• Such strategies can reduce toxic air pollution, conserve energy, ensure adequate water supplies, preserve forest and farmland, and reduce traffic congestion.

The three States agree that in the absence of action, global warming will have serious consequences on the economy, health and environment of the west coast states.

The states will solicit support for this initiative from other parties and government entities, including cities, counties, and academic institutions. Provincial governments and other States are welcome to join with us by endorsing this Charter and committing to this approach.

Organizational Structure

3. Interstate Executive Committee

Purpose: The purpose of the Interstate Executive Committee is to:

• Direct the work of the Working Groups, organized around the five key issue areas;
• Make decisions regarding funding, policies and direction of the regional activities and joint projects.
• Monitor and ensure progress in achieving the goal of a recommended joint policy statement and recommendations by September 1, 2004.
• Provide a forum for joint discussion of issues and activities of common interest among the participants, including key stakeholders and the public.

Composition: The Executive Committee will consist of two policy-level management representatives from each state. Representatives are expected to be empowered by their organization to make policy and financial decisions regarding the Western Governor's Initiative. Representatives are expected to participate consistently, i.e., the use of substitute representatives at meetings should be minimized.

The members of the Executive Committee should consist of state representatives from:

• California
• Oregon
• Washington

Meetings: The Executive Committee should engage in at least two face-to-face meetings and rely on frequent conference calls over the upcoming months to provide direction and make decisions on the proposed recommendations from the Staffs. They should meet regularly with the State coordinators identified below. Meetings should occur in person, if possible, and should be frequent enough to ensure effective communication among the three States.

4. Decision-Making Process

It is the intent of the Interstate Executive Committee to make decisions by consensus, since the three states are expected to deliver joint recommendations to commit their respective Governors. Consensus is defined as "group solidarity in sentiment and belief." The Executive Committee Members will work cooperatively to find a common, cooperative resolution to issues that arise. In addition, this Committee will be responsible for soliciting input from key stakeholder groups and the general public on the joint recommendations of the three states to their Governors.

5. State Level Coordinators

Purpose: The purpose of the State Level Coordinators (one each from California, Washington and Oregon) is to:

• Oversee the work of the technical working groups identified below.
• Report to the Executive Committee on concerns and issues identified by the working groups.
• Monitor and ensure progress on the goals and activities of individual working groups.

Composition: The Executive Committee should designate one representative from the Staff of each state to serve as the "point person" for coordinating the work of the five working groups.

Meetings: The coordinators should meet in person, or via conference calling, with the group leaders from all the working groups at least every other month (e.g. January, March, June, August), or more often if deemed necessary by the members. These meetings can be conference calls, where possible, to eliminate the need for frequent travel to other states.

6. Working Groups

Purpose: The purpose of the working groups is to:

• Prepare proposals for consideration by the steering committee and develop recommendations for steering committee action.
• Provide a forum for joint discussion of issues and activities of common interest to participants as it relates to the particular technical subject area.

Composition: The working groups will consist of members from each state (including both government and non-governmental entities), based on their expertise and interest in a key issue area. Each working group will designate a lead and develop a plan and key milestones, leading to recommended actions by the three States for each of the key issue areas. Initially, the working groups will , these areas are identified as:

• State Fleet Procurement
• Marine Emissions/Emission-Free Truck Corridors
• Renewable Energy Development
• Energy Efficiency Standards
• Accounting Methods, Reporting Protocols, Emissions Inventories and Scientific Research

Another option is to form a working group to formulate longer term measures and new initiatives, which includes hydrogen, public education, scientific research, and targets and timetables for reducing GHGs.

Each working group will identify a 'group leader' who will be responsible for managing the activities of the group participants to coordinate and carry out the work. Group leaders will be responsible for information the state coordinators of their progress on a regular basis, and identifying issues that may require resolution by the Steering Committee.

Meetings: The working groups should meet as frequently as possible, preferably twice per month, to review progress toward achieving the September 1, 2004 joint recommendations to the Governors. These meetings can be conference calls to eliminate the need for frequent travel to other states.

7. Stakeholder Process

It is the intent of the three States to involve outside parties, including environmental groups, business interests and the public, in the deliberations leading to the joint recommendations. Options for involving stakeholders include:

• Assignment of non-government entities to one or more of the working groups, especially where individuals possess technical expertise or policy interest in the working group assignment.
• Formation of state-specific advisory groups or reliance on existing advisory groups already being formed under the auspices of the Puget Sound Air Quality Agency or the State of Washington.
• Formation of a regional advisory committee to advise the Executive Committee on broader issues of regional significance.
• Custom designing a stakeholder process to fit our needs.
• A separate, public process for soliciting input from stakeholders and the public prior to finalizing the joint recommendations.
• Some combination of the above.

8. Issues for Discussion and Resolution

• When and how should the group address the need for targets and timetables to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the West Coast region?
• Who should be designated to serve on the Executive Committee, State coordination team and working groups?

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