Iowa Joins Climate Registry

July 10, 2007

The following press release from Governor Culver's office announces Iowa joining The Climate Registry. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently drafting rules that pertain to the voluntary Climate Registry and mandatory greenhouse gas inventory established by Iowa Code 455B.131, as amended by Senate File (SF) 485 in 2007. The draft rules will establish a mechanism to coordinate the information obtained in the greenhouse gas inventory with The Climate Registry, so regulated entities do not have to report the same information twice. More details will be available later this fall when the draft rules are available for public comment.

The Climate Registry website is www.theclimateregistry.org.

For questions regarding this announcement, please contact the DNR's Air Quality Bureau Chief Catharine Fitzsimmons at Catharine.Fitzsimmons@dnr.iowa.gov or (515) 281-8034.

Govenor Culver Signs Iowa Onto the Climate Registry

Thursday, July 5, 2007

DES MOINES - Governor Chet Culver has signed the state of Iowa onto The Climate Registry to work with states around the country to develop a common greenhouse gas reporting system.

The Climate Registry is comprised of air quality program directors and commissioners from more than 30 states and several tribes. They will work together to standardize best practices for Green House Gas (GHG) emissions reporting, verification, and management, and to support a common reporting system.

Global warming is a real danger that threatens our very way of life, and it is our responsibility to take steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming," said Governor Culver. "Signing The Climate Registry will bring Iowa to the table in developing a common greenhouse gas reporting system and begin answering tough questions with regards to global warming."

"I believe sitting on the sidelines during this debate is no longer an option. We must find a way to track greenhouse gas emissions and provide accurate data to scientists and lawmakers working to reduce emissions."

With Governor Culver's signature on The Climate Registry (full document text below), Iowa is now a member and represented on the board of directors of a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation set up to coordinate the Registry, establish data collection procedures and run the computerized database that will contain emissions data from participating corporations.

On April 27, 2007, the Governor signed SF 485, a bill to create the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council. The Council is tasked with considering and determining the best strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The work of The Climate Registry will assist the Climate Change Advisory Council with its mission.

For questions about the details and impact of this announcement, please contact Catharine Fitzsimmons at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at (515) 281-8034.

Below is the full Climate Registry document signed by Governor Culver:

The Climate Registry: Statement of Principles and Goals

The State of Iowa agrees to participate in The Climate Registry to:

• Develop and manage a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system with high integrity that is capable of supporting multiple greenhouse gas emissions reporting and emissions reduction policies for its member states/tribes and reporting entities; and
• Provide an accurate, complete, consistent, transparent, and verified set of greenhouse gas emissions data from reporting entities, supported by a robust accounting and verification infrastructure.

As a member of The Climate Registry we will:

• Work with The Climate Registry to establish and endorse a voluntary entity-wide greenhouse gas emissions reporting and verification system and will encourage entities in [state or tribe] to voluntarily report their emissions to The Climate Registry;
• Work with The Climate Registry to identify a set of greenhouse gas emissions minimum data quantification standards to be recognized by member states and tribes in both voluntary and mandatory reporting and emissions reduction programs; and
• Work to incorporate these minimum data quantification standards into any mandated greenhouse gas reporting and emissions reduction program.

As a member of The Climate Registry we will work to achieve the following goals:

• Utilize best practices in greenhouse gas emissions reporting;
• Establish a common data infrastructure for voluntary and mandatory reporting and emissions reduction programs;
• Minimize the burden on reporting entities, states and tribes;
• Provide an opportunity for reporting entities to establish an emissions baseline and document early action;
• Develop a nationally recognized platform for credible and consistent greenhouse gas emissions reporting; and
• Promote full and public disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions while respecting business confidentiality.

We agree that The Climate Registry will be governed by the following principles:

• Openness and Transparency: Consider input from stakeholders, including environmental groups, businesses, local government, and other interested parties;
• Collaboration: Seek consensus whenever possible;
• Broad Engagement: Conduct outreach to other states and tribes and potential reporting entities;
• Appropriate Representation: Establish committees, including an Executive Committee, to optimize regional and tribal representation, with member tribes determining their Board representation if the number of tribal members exceeds the number of available tribal seats; and
• Economic Efficiency: Promote least cost solutions wherever possible.