KHI NEWS SERVICE
TOPEKA, May 8
Kansas has joined 30 states in a new effort to address climate change.
The new organization, The Climate Registry, will assist in measuring, tracking, and verifying emissions of greenhouse gases.
It will also provide the measurement and reporting infrastructure to support emissions reduction programs. The Registry will accept reporting data beginning in January 2008.
“Getting accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions through this pilot project is a vital first step towards assessing the impacts of climate change on our state,” said Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “The Climate Registry will allow states to share resources, synchronize our programs, and help enhance the effectiveness of our efforts.”
KDHE oversees the state”s environmental programs, including the enforcement of state and federal environmental standards for protecting air and water, managing waste, and cleaning up pollution and environmental spills. The department works with local, state and federal partners to ensure environmental quality, and relies upon field staff in six district offices throughout Kansas to perform environmental assessments and inspections, and to coordinate with town, city and county officials.
The Climate Registry”s charter members include 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, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation in California. Two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, will also participate.