Colorado Gov.'s Climate Change Advisory Panel Takes Aim at Greenhouse Gases

June 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter's Climate Change Advisory Panel, a diverse 30-member committee with representatives from industry, academia, government, law and other sectors, is beginning its work to identify the critical steps needed to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals set forth in the Colorado Climate Action Plan.

The panel is intended to take advantage of Colorado's rich pool of expertise in diverse areas to seek opportunities to address climate change and review potential climate adaptation strategies in Colorado.

Gov. Ritter will appear at the panel's first meeting this afternoon. The panel meeting begins at 3 p.m. at the Governor's Energy Office, 1580 Logan St. Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at 3:30 p.m.

"The structure this advisory panel will provide a two-way street for communications about the state's efforts to address climate change," said Alice Madden, the governor's climate change adviser. "We look forward to the input and viewpoints of all the members of this diverse panel, which includes representatives of the energy industry and environmental groups."

The panel is tasked with addressing several topics, according to the governor's executive order. The panel will examine:

* Options for expanding and effectively coordinating state-led efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Methods for engaging interested stakeholders in voluntary and mandatory programs to achieve greenhouse gas reductions.
* Mechanisms for conducting effective planning for adaptation to climate change.
* Additions to future versions of the Plan, focusing on the key sectors such as energy efficiency, utilities, agriculture, transportation and waste reduction.

Colorado's first Climate Action Plan (CAP), issued in November 2007, identifies critical steps the state must take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently to avoid major disruption to Colorado's economy, environment and society. It calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

Source: Colorado Governor