Virginia Governor's Commission on Climate Change
Governor Timothy M. Kaine established the Governor's Commission on Climate Change in December 2007. The commission was assembled to prepare a plan for Virginia that identifies ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Commission was comprised of more than 40 citizens of the Commonwealth, including scientists, economists, environmental advocates, and representatives from the energy, transportation, building, and manufacturing sectors. The Commission also included local government representatives and state lawmakers.
The Commission met in full 10 times over the course of 2008, starting in February and ending in December, when the Final Report was adopted. Meetings were held across the Commonwealth, often at the state’s universities, which generally had facilities that could accommodate the anticipated number of interested citizens who would follow the Commission’s work and want to offer comment.
During the development of the plan, the commission took the following steps:
- Inventory the amount of and contributors to Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions projections through 2025
- Evaluate the expected impacts of climate change on Virginia’s citizens, natural resources and economy
- Identify climate change approaches being pursued by other states, regions and the federal government
- Identify what Virginia needs to do to prepare for the likely consequences of climate change
- Identify any actions (beyond those identified in the Virginia Energy Plan) that need to be taken to achieve the 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction goal
The final report by the Commission was issued December 15, 2008.
Phone: (804) 786-0044
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