06/08/07 Agriculture and the Climate Advisory Team

Washington Ag June 8, 2007 The Climate Change Challenge Advisory Team was tasked by Governor Chris Gregoire to develop policy recommendations that may be adopted to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reductions and clean energy economy goals she set out in an executive order earlier this year. One of those goals is to reduce greenhouse gas emission in the state to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Deborah Moore, Grant County farmer, is one of several people from agriculture on the advisory team. She wanted to make sure agriculture was at the table. Moore: "Well I think a lot of the things that are going to be discussed, lot of the decisions that will be made will have a direct impact on agriculture. Again I think it is important for people in production agriculture, the processing industry, the other segments of the agricultural industry, understand how these policy decisions may impact their business." Moore thinks ag is actually in a good position. Moore: "Because we are a net reducer of CO2 emissions and so the agriculture industry I think is going to be key to helping with this process in a very positive way." Through carbon sequestration for example. The Climate Advisory Team is to submit recommendations to the Governor early next year. I'm Bob Hoff.