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B.C. Takes on the Terminator, Plans to Drop Greenhouse Gas Levels 33 Per Cent

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 February 2007, 21:00 CST

By DIRK MEISSNER

VICTORIA (CP) - The B.C. government is planning to outrun the Terminator, announcing Tuesday what it calls an aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent - and possibly making it greener than California.

British Columbia's plans appear to go farther than targets recently set by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former movie star known for action roles such as The Terminator.

By comparison, under the Kyoto accord Canada is committed to a six per cent cut in greenhouse emissions from 1990 levels by 2012.

The province's green targets were outlined in a throne speech marking the start of the legislative session.

"It is an aggressive target and will set a new standard," said Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo, who read the 42-page speech dominated by the government's new environmental agenda.

The Liberal government's plan aims to reduce B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below today's levels by 2020, Campagnolo said.

The target will place B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions at 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, she said.

The targets recently introduced by Schwarzenegger call for regulations to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

"In 2007, British Columbia will take concerted provincial action to halt and reverse the growth in greenhouse gases," said Campagnolo.

"The government will act now and will act deliberately."

The province's greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be 35 per cent higher than in 1990, said Campagnolo.

"Because our emissions have grown so much since 1990, our task of reducing emissions in percentage terms will be that much more difficult."

The B.C. government plans to work with Schwarzenegger and other west coast governments to tackle global warming, Campagnolo said. The government wants to meet with the leaders of those states to develop methods to reduce greenhouse gases in the Pacific Coast region.

Those plans include working with California to address the impacts of climate change on ocean resources and taking steps to ensure clean ports, Campagnolo said.

The province is preparing to invite the Pacific coast governors and their cabinet members to British Columbia to forge a joint environmental team that extends from Alaska to California, she said.

Among the ideas being floated in the throne speech are anti-idling measures and a so-called "hydrogen highway" that runs from Whistler to San Diego by 2010, the year Vancouver hosts the Winter Olympics.

New tailpipe emission standards for all new vehicles sold in the province will be phased in from 2009 to 2016. The standards will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent for some vehicles, Campagnolo said.

As of this month all new cars leased by the government will be hybrid vehicles, she said.

The B.C. government's new green plan is generating interest south of the border.

An official in Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski's office said he knew Premier Gordon Campbell was about to announce an environmental initiative and officials in the Democrat governor's office are awaiting the details of the plan.

Oregon's environmental plan includes developing the strictest standards for reducing tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants in the United States.

Kulongoski's website says his government will develop this effort through participation in the West Coast Global Warming Initiative that includes working with California and Washington.

The site doesn't say anything about working with British Columbia, but the official in Kulongoski's office said he will comment later about uniting with Campbell's government.

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner, who was recently in California attending a clean ports meeting, said Campbell is open to working with any jurisdiction to clean up the environment.

Schwarzenegger plans to encourage the use of alternative fuels for transportation, increasing the numbers of hybrid fuel vehicles on California highways by about seven million.

Officials in the former Hollywood actor's office in Sacramento could not be reached for comment on British Columbia's plans.

In Olympia, Wash., Gov. Chris Gregoire signed an order last week that establishes goals for reducing climate pollution and imported fuel costs.

It's called the Washington Climate Change Challenge and it includes retrofitting 50 per cent of school buses and ensuring certain automobiles meet tougher emission standards.

The Washington plan does not mention working with British Columbia, but Gregoire met with Campbell and some members of his cabinet last year and is planning to meet with him again this year.

Source: Canadian Press

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