October
3, 2006
Joint
Legislative Global Climate Change Committee
The Joint Legislative Global Climate Change Committee met to hear
reports from various scientific groups. The committee is comprised
of 34 members (18 appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate and 16 appointed by the Speaker of the House). The Committee
chairs are John Garrou and Representative Joe Hackney. The committee
extended the initial deadline for reports and recommendations. An
interim report, originally due in December 2006 has been extended
until January 2007. In this report, Co-chairman Joe Hackney said
there will be no goals, just a summary of progress to date. The
final report is scheduled for April 15, 2008.
The meeting lasted six hours and focused on scientific evidence
and information on initiatives in other states. It was suggested
by more than a few on the commission that North Carolina should
wait for a federal solution.
An expert with the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Joshua
Bushinsky, suggested that the State could take action now and better
position itself for any federal legislation. Twenty-two states plus
the District of Columbia have mandated that a given percentage of
electricity must be generated from renewable resources.
Hackney told reporters after the meeting that the commission would
first focus on "win-win scenarios" for reducing greenhouse
gases.
NCUC Commissioner John Kerr and the Director of the Public Staff,
Bob Gruber, reviewed the Renewable Portfolio Study. Members asked
them if the State does a good job with energy conservation, would
this supplant the need for new electric generation? Gruber answered
that no, there will still be a need for new electric generation.
The meeting adjourned and members were told to watch their e-mail
for notice of the next meeting.
The bill creating the study can be viewed at the following web
link http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/PDF/S1134v7.pdf
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