West coast goes green — the Pacific Coast Collaborative

Pacific leaders take action on clean energy, transportation, ocean conservation.

On February 12, 2010, leaders from British Columbia, California, Oregon and Washington state, took time out of their busy Olympic schedules to ratify a series of joint actions entitled the Pacific Coast Collaborative, the initial steps of which were taken in June of 2008. The new agreement pledges the participating governments to forge a partnership for leadership, co-operative action and a common voice on issues affecting the Pacific Coast region and is expected to create jobs, strengthen the region’s economy, advance climate change and clean energy action and protect the marine environment.

“The (two) agreements signed today are an important step towards advancing North America’s West Coast as a global leader in the new low-carbon economy, ocean health, renewable energy and transportation’” said Premier Campbell.

Governor Schwarzenegger said “The Pacific Coast collaborative has shown that by taking meaningful action and showing determined leadership, the rest of the world will follow the steps we are taking to build a better future”.

“Those of us here today recognize the challenges of a changing climate and a changing economy”, said Governor Gregoire. “By acting together, we can show the world that it is possible and necessary to embrace solutions that address both.”

Governor Kulongoski commented, “These agreements demonstrate our collective commitment to protecting the health of the West Coast’s ocean and the ecosystems and economies that depend on them….”

The Action Plan on Innovation, the Environment and the Economy sets out a series of co-operative initiatives to promote renewable and low-carbon energy and energy conservation. Development of Interstate 5/Highway 99 as a green transportation corridor, the development of high-speed rail from San Diego to Vancouver and the move to “Green Ports” to reduce local air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, are some of the plans included in this initiative.

The Action Plan on Ocean Conservation and Coastal Climate Change Adaptation focuses on co-operation on invasive species, reducing toxins and other pollutants and promoting sustainable fisheries management in part.

The leaders also released for further discussion and public input, a “Vision 2030” paper, intended to be a living document for the Pacific Coast Collaborative, setting a strategic vision for the future of Pacific North America. As well, they announced a new website to facilitate regional sharing of information between governments and citizens. The address is http://www.pacificcoastcollaborative.org

The next forum will be in Oregon in November of 2010.