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Canada: Western Climate Initiative Releases Design Recommendations For Its
Regional Cap-And-Trade Program by Adam Chamberlain
On September 23, 2008, the Western Climate Initiative ("WCI") released its
design recommendations for its North American market-based cap-and-trade
system for greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions ("Design Revy commendations").
This WCI initiative is an important component of a comprehensive regional
effort to reduce the pollution that causes global warming to 15% below 2005
levels by 2020. The WCI partner provinces and states: British Columbia,
Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah and Washington ("WCI Partners"), will use the Design Recommendations to
further develop a cap-and-trade system with the objective of taking the
steps necessary to implement the program within their respective
jurisdictions.

Many organizations operating in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and
Quebec should be aware of the key elements of the Design Recommendations and
how this proposal could affect their operations. Organizations affected
include: (i) electricity generators, (ii) electricity transmitters and
distributors involved in importing electricity from other jurisdictions,
(iii) industrial and commercial facilities that generate large measurable
emissions through combustion or industrial processes, and (iv) operators of
fuel distributors, final blenders, or terminal racks that handle fuels
eventually meant for residential, commercial, industrial or transportation
related consumption.