Midwest Cap-and-Trade Compact Building Momentum

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A Midwestern states initiative to reduce carbon emissions may be getting an overhaul and a kick in the pants later this year.

smokestacky2Wisconsin Governor Jim D0yle said he expects action this fall on an update to the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord that was originally signed in November 2007 by nine Midwestern governors and the premier of Manitoba.

The updated initiative, which includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, would establish a cap-and-trade system to curb carbon dioxide emissions 15-25 percent by 2020 and 60-80 percent by 2050, according to this Gannett article. Such a pact already exists in the Northeast.

It is not clear why South Dakota and Ohio, which were represented in the previous accord, are not part of the announcement.

Environment + Energy Leader