1. 1 Washington Action on Climate Change Hedia Adelsman, Department of Ecology September 25, 2009

2. Residential, Commercial and Industrial Fuel Use 20% Washington State 2005 GHG Emissions Electricity Consumption 20% Agriculture 6% Industrial processing 4% Waste 3% Transportation 47% Source: Washington State Greenhouse Gas Inventory, December 2007 Percentages are rounded numbers 2

3. 3 Potential Economic Costs in Washington If no additional actions are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (million dollars per year) 20202040 Continued use of less efficient energy technologies$1,400$1,600 Increased health-related costs (increased ground-level ozone, increased heat waves) $1,300$2,200 Reduced salmon populations$531$1,400 Increased energy cost s (reduced hydro supply, higher energy demand) $222$623 Increased wildland fire costs$102$208 Lost recreation opportunities$75$210 Increased coastal and storm damage$72$150 Reduced food production$35$64 Health related spillover costs from continued use of coal-fired electricity $19$23 Total increased costs$3,800$6,500 Source: University of Oregon, Climate Leadership Initiative

4. Statutory Emission Reductions Limits 4

5. Washington Existing Climate Change Policies Comprehensive climate action plan GHG mandatory reporting State agency leadership in quantifying & reducing emissions Clean Energy Renewable Portfolio standards, incentives for renewable energy GHG Emissions performance standards for power plants Energy efficiency Building codes, green building, appliance stds Clean cars and fuel use reduction CA clean car stds, alternative fuel stds, hybrid and electric cars, fuel economy Transportation and land-use planning Lower carbon transportation choices Building compact communities Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Benchmarks Waste management Methane capture, anaerobic digesters, recycling and reuse http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2005-2009actions.html 5

6. Climate Change Executive Order 09-05 Continue to work with the Western Climate Initiative on a regional cap and trade Work with Congress and White House on national policy Industry reduction strategies and benchmarks Work with TransAlta to reduce GHG emissions Forestry offset protocols and incentives Study low carbon fuel standard Transportation planning and VMT reduction Prepare for rising sea levels and risks to water supplies caused by climate changes impacts Work with others on a “West coast green highway” 6

7. Climate Change Impacts, Preparation, Adaptation Key Issues of Interest: Coastal Impacts Water Supply & Quality Inundation and flooding Forest Health Fish & Wildlife Impacts 7

8. Collaborative effort between state agencies and local governments Assess WA’s vulnerability to climate change impacts Prioritize implementation solutions Incorporate adaptation into agency’s policies and programs Engage the scientific community in development of response strategy Set up a central clearinghouse for scientific and technical information due 12/1/2011 State Adaptation Response Strategy 8 8

9. State Environmental Policy Act and climate change Develop guidance (building on the work of the 2008 SEPA group) focusing on: –Measuring and disclosing GHG emissions –Threshold determination –Mitigation –Vulnerability assessment A SEPA advisory group has been formed Guidance by December 2009 9

10. Summary We need to do what is possible now to transform to a clean energy (low carbon) economy GHG limits combined with market incentives and regulatory policies will deliver cost-effective emission reductions There are many indications that impacts of climate change are underway and vary from place to place Localities, regions and states are on the front lines of climate change impacts, and have a responsibility to respond 10

11. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/