Select State Actions to Address Climate Change
Compiled by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), 3/20/07
States with Active Climate Legislative Commissions and Executive Branch Advisory Groups:Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington. In 2007, legislation to establish commissions is pending in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,Iowa,Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Michigan and Ohio legislators have indicated they will introduce bills to create Legislative Climate Change Commissions.
-Additional information about each state’s commission or advisory group is attached (page 2-3).
States That Have Set Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets:Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington. In 2007, legislation setting greenhouse gas emissions targets is pending in Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana,Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Many of the bills are similar to California’s landmark law, AB32, limiting emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
-Additional information about each state’s target is attached (page 4).
States That Have Adopted or Are in the Process of Adopting California’s Automobile Emissions Standards, Which Will Include a Greenhouse Gas EmissionsStandard with Model Year 2009:Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. In 2007, legislation to adopt automobile emissions standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is being considered in considered in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. – Additional information about each state’s 2007 legislation is attached (page 5).
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) - States Requiring Energy Companies to Procure a Certain Percentage of Their Power from Renewable Resources by a Certain Date: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin. Iowa requires 105MW to come from renewable energy. Illinois has renewable energy goal of 8% by 2013. In 2007, legislation to increase or create a renewable portfolio standard is being considered in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia.This year, New Mexico increased its RPS and Minnesota set the nation’s most aggressive standard.–Additional information on each state’s RPS is attached (page 6).
Regional Cap-and-Trade Programs: Last month five Western state Governors announced they will form a regional cap-and-trade program addressing major industrial and commercial sources of global warming pollution.Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington signed a Memorandum of Understanding creating the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative. A coalition of Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York , Rhode Island, and Vermont, are also on track to limit greenhouse gases through a regional cap-and trade program called the "Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative" or RGGI. HB2362 has been introduced in Texas to allow Texaspower companies to participate in RGGI. Pennsylvania is considering HR7, which urges the Governor to join RGGI.
States with Active Climate Legislative Commissions and Executive Branch Advisory Groups (Source: Pew Center on Global Climate Change)
AK:Climate Impact Assessment Commission established in May 2006 by the Legislatureto assess the impacts and costs of climate change to Alaska anddevelop recommendations for preventative measures that can be implemented by Alaskan communities and governments.
AZ:Climate Change Advisory Group established in February 2005 by executive order to produce an inventory of Arizona’s greenhouse gas emissions anddevelop recommendations to reduce Arizona’s greenhouse gas emissions.
CA:Climate Change Advisory Committee established in 2004by the California Energy Commission to provide advice and recommendations on a comprehensive equitable and cost-effective climate change strategy for California.
Climate Action Team established in June 2005 by executive order toimplement global warming emission reduction programs and report on the progress made toward meeting the state GHG emission reduction targets.
FL:Energy Commission established in June 2006 by the Legislature to recommend steps and a schedule for the development of a state climate action plan through a public involvement processto reduce GHG emissions.
IL:Climate Change Advisory Group created in October 2006 by Governor Rod Blagojevichto consider strategies and make recommendations on how the state can best reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The Advisory Group, whichincludes scientists and representatives from business, industry, and the environmental community, must present itsfindings and recommendations to the Governor by June 30, 2007.
MT:Climate Change Advisory Council established in April 2006 bythe Department of Environmental Quality, as requested by Governor Brian Schweitzer, to:recommend strategies to reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions, promote economic growth,and develop a Climate Change Action Plan by July 2007.
NC:Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change established in September 2005by the Legislature to: address the threats posed by global warming; determine the costs and benefits of the various mitigation strategies adopted by state and national governments; assess the state’s potential economic opportunities in emerging carbon markets; determine the desirability of a statewide greenhouse gas emission goal and make recommendations for an appropriate path forward.
NM:Climate Change Action Council established in June 2005 by executive order toreview and provide recommendations to the Governor’s office regarding climate change policy.
Climate Change Advisory Group established in June 2005 by executive order topresent a report to the Climate Change Action Council byDecember 2006, which will include: proposals to achieve the state GHG emissions reduction targets and associated costs and benefits; an inventory of historical and forecasted GHG emissions in New Mexico and of existing and planned GHG emission reduction actions in the state; findings on initiatives to create meaningful regional and national policy to address climate change.
OR:Climate Change Integration Group appointed in June 2006 by the Governortotrack the State’s progress on greenhouse gas emission reductions, andexplore new opportunities for research on the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
SC:Governor's Climate, Energy, and Commerce Advisory Committee established February 2007 by executive order. The committee is charged with considering the impacts of climate change on South Carolina,potential economic opportunities involved,and the costs, benefits, and feasibility of various policy strategies for addressing climate change. The committee's final action plan and policy recommendations are due to the Governor by March 2008.
UT:Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change established August 2006 to assess the policy options available to Utah for addressing climate change. The council will be made up of representatives from government, industry, environmental, and community groups and is charged with considering the science, economics, and policy around climate change. The council is to report its findings and recommendationsto the governor in the Fall of 2007.
VT:Commission on Climate Change established in December 2005 by executive order to: examine the impacts of climate change in Vermont; produce an inventory of existing and planned actions that contribute to GHG emissions in the state; educate the public about climate change; develop, by September 2007, a Climate Action Plan including recommendations to reduce GHG emissions in Vermont.
WA:Washington Climate Change Challenge initiated February 2007 by executive order and directingthe Washington departments of Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development to lead a task force composed of representatives from business, community, and environmentalgroups in developing strategies for howWashington can achieve its climate goals.
2007 – Pending Legislation to Create Legislative Climate Commissions/Task Forces/Action Plans (Source: National Caucus of Environmental Legislators)
AR: HB2460 – Establishes the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming
FL: SB2446 – Creates the Florida Climate Action Partnership
GA: HR422 – Creates a House Climate Study Committee
IA: SF494 – Creates Climate Change Advisory Council
MD: HB703 – Creates Maryland Commission on Climate Change & Clean Energy Alternatives
MS: SB2663 – Creates Global Climate Study Commission
PA: HR110 – Requires House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to conduct hearings and report back on forming of state Climate Action Registry
TX: HB722 – Establishes a Global Warming Task Force
WA: SB5359 – Creates a Greenhouse Gas Reporting Study Panel
*MichiganandOhio legislators have indicated they will introduce legislation to establish Legislative Climate Change Commissions this year.
State Targets for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Existing State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
Source: Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Updated February 2007
AZ: 2000 levels by 2020; 50% below 2000 levels by 2040
CA: 2000 levels by 2010; 1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
CT: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
IL: 1990 levels by 2020; 60% below 1990 levels by 2050
MA: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long term
ME: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-80% below 2003 levels in the long term
NH: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
NJ: 1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 2006 levels by 2050
NM: 2000 levels by 2012; 10% below 2000 levels by 2020; 75% below 2000 levels by 2050
NY: 5% below 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020
OR: Stabilize by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75% below 1990 levels by 2050
RI: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020
VT: 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
WA: 1990 levels by 2020; 25% below 1990 levels by 2035; 50% below 1990 levels by 2050
2007 - States Considering Legislation to Set Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
Source: National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
AZ: 2000 levels by 2020, 50% below 2000 by 2040.
HI:HB226 – 1990 levels by 2020; HB678– 1990 levels by 2020; HB1524 – 10% below 2007 emissions between 2015 & 2019;
IL: SB1187/HB1874 – 1990 levels by 2020; SB9 – by July 1, 2008 the state agency must submit a plan to the Governor and legislature to “significantly reduce” ghg emissions by 2020.
MD: HB890/SB409 – 1990 levels by 2020
MN: HF375/SF192 – 15% below 2005 levels by 2015; 30% below 2005 by 2025; and 80% below 2005 by 2050
MT: HB753 – 1990 levels by 2020
NV: SB422 – Power plant emissions must be below 2006 levels for years 2011-1014; below 2001 levels in 2015; 1% below each of the previous years for 2016-2019; 1.5% below 2019 levels for 2020.
NJ: A3301/S2114 – 1990 levels by 2020
NY: A4326 – 1990 levels by 2020; A5038 – Maximum achievable reduction in ghg by 2020;S3512 –25% below 1990 levels by 2009 and 50% by 2034.
TX: HB2143/SB945– 1990 levels by 2020; HB2897 – CO2 emissions below 1990 level by 2020
WA: HB1210 – 1990 levels by 2020; HB6001- 1990 levels by 2020; 25% below 1990 levels by 2035; 50% below 1990 levels by 2050
WI: SB81/HB157 – 1990 levels by 2020
California Emissions Standards for Cars and Light Trucks
States Following or In the Process of Adopting California’s Auto Emissions Standards
Source: Clean Cars Campaign
Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland (see below), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington
2007 –State Legislation Related to AdoptingCalifornia’s Standards
Source: National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
Arizona: HB2276 - Requires state to adopt Californiaauto emissions standards
Arkansas: HB2466 – The bill sets clean car standards to reduce the effect of global warming and to promote the availability of cars that use bio-fuel.
Hawaii: HR83/HCR105 - Urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce and support federal legislation enabling Hawaii to adopt California's more stringent vehicle emissions standards
Illinois: HB3424/SB663 - Requires state to adopt California emissions standards to take effect with 2011 model year vehicles
Nevada: AB481 - Requires state to adopt California emissions standards to take effect with 2010 model year vehicles
Maryland: SB103/HB131 - Requires state to adopt California emissions standards to take effect with 2011 model year vehicles (Bills have passed their respective chambers and proponents are confident they will become law. Governor has expressed support.)
Minnesota: HF863/SF481- Requires state to adopt California emissions standards to take effect with 2010 model year vehicles. HF639/HF827/SF620 would not specifically adopt California standards, but would enact a strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles by 30% by 2030.
Tennessee: SB486 - After enough states, which have forty percent (40%) of the population of the United States using the 2000 census figures, have adopted California standards, Tennessee will be required to adopt California standards
Texas: HB344/HB548/SB124 - Requires state to adopt California emissions standards to take effect with 2009 model year vehicles
States That Require Energy Companies to Procure a Certain Percentage of Their Power from Renewable Resources (Renewable Portfolio Standards):
Existing Standards (Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy)
AZ: 15% by 2025
CA: 20% by 2010
CO: 10% by 2015
CT: 10% by 2010
DC: 11% by 2022
DE: 10% by 2019
HI: 20% by 2020
IA: 105 MW must be from renewbles
MA: 4% by 2009 + 1% Annual Increase
MD: 7.5% by 2019
ME: 30% by 2000 (mostly hydro); 10% by 2017 goal from new renewable energy
MN: 25% by 2025, Xcel standard at 30% by 2020 (enacted this year)
MT: 15% by 2015
NJ: 22.5% by 2021
NM: 20% by 2020 (legislation increasing RPS to 20% by 2020 enacted this year)
NV: 20% by 2015
NY: 24% by 2013
PA: 18% by 2020 (Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard)
RI: 15% by 2020
TX: 5,880 MW by 2015 must be from renewables
VT: Renewable Energy Meets Load Growth by 2012
WA: 15% by 2020
WI: Requirement varies by utility; 10% by 2015 Goal
2007 Legislation(Source: National Caucus of Environmental Legislators)
CO: HB1281 – increase existing RPS to 20% by 2020
IA: SF241- 10% by 2010, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020
IL: HB1871 – 10% by 2015, 75% of renewable energy must be from wind
IL: SB1184 – 25% by 2025, 75% of renewable energy must be from wind
IN: HB1122/SB348 – 10% by 2017, includes solar energy mandate
MO: SB54 – Goal of 10% by 2020;
MO: SB154 – Requires 10% by 2022
NE: LB1412 - 10% by 2019
NH: HB873 – Prescribes percentage of power that must come from 4 separate classes of renewable energy sources
NC: HB77 – 20% by 2020; NC: SB3 – Requires that by 2018 10% of power be from renewable resources or saved due to energy efficiency
NV: AB427 - Would increase existing RPS to 25% for 2019 and beyond
OR: HB2209/SB373– 25% by 2025; HB3359 – sets goal of 25% by 2025
VA: SB278 – 20% by 2016; SB1275 - 12% by 2020
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