May 7, 2007

Michigan has joined a group of thirty-one states as charter members of The Climate Registry, a multi-state effort to address climate change. The newly formed organization will assist businesses from all sectors in measuring, tracking, and verifying emissions of greenhouse gases that are known to contribute to climate change, a critical first step in developing programs to reduce those emissions.

"This is an important step for Michigan, and for the nation, in encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gases," said Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with companies around the state to improve the quality of our air and the environment."

Michigan had previously joined with seven other Midwest states to develop the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Registry, a program that has now become part of the larger Climate Registry coalition.

The list of charter members in The Climate Registry includes the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, have also committed to participate.

This voluntary program for businesses represents an unprecedented cooperative effort in North America to work towards creating innovative solutions that will keep our environment protected for generations to come.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised May 7, 2007 by Pat Watson