Governor Kaine Signs Executive Order Establishing Commission on Climate Change and Announces Appointments

Press Release

Governor Kaine Signs Executive Order Establishing Commission on Climate Change and Announces Appointments
- Directs Commission to undertake yearlong study and prepare an action plan -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today issued Executive Order 59 establishing the Commission on Climate Change. In establishing this Commission, Governor Kaine is fulfilling one of the recommendations of the Virginia Energy Plan, which was completed in September of this year.

The Virginia Energy Plan identified four overall goals, one of which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025, bringing emissions back to 2000 levels. The reduction in emissions will be partially achieved through energy conservation and renewable energy actions identified in the Energy Plan. The Commission on Climate Change will further study and formulate an action plan to fully achieve this goal.

"The Virginia Energy plan recognized that climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing us with regard to our use of energy," Governor Kaine said. "The Commission on Climate Change will provide needed expertise and additional resources to help significantly reduce emissions in Virginia by 2025."

The Executive Order directs the Commission, which will be chaired by Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant Jr., to prepare a Climate Change Action Plan. The Commission will be charged with a number of tasks:

* Inventory the amount of and contributors to Virginia's greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions projections through 2025.

* Evaluate expected impacts of climate change on Virginia's citizens, natural resources, and economy.

* Identify climate change approaches being pursued by other states, regions, and the federal government.

* Identify what Virginia needs to do to prepare for the likely consequences of climate change.

* Identify any actions (beyond those identified in the Energy Plan) that need to be taken to achieve the 30% greenhouse gas reduction goal.

"The 32-person commission I am appointing is a broadly representative one," said Governor Kaine. "It reflects my goal to consider the impacts of climate change and responses to those changes from economic, environmental, social and governmental points of view."

The commission includes state legislators; scientists; economists; representatives from the energy, transportation, manufacturing, development, and agriculture industries; representatives from environmental organizations; and local government representatives. The commission will issue a report with recommendations by December 15, 2008.

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