Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the premier of Manitoba signed the "Greenhouse Gas Accord", which commits the states and Manitoba to work together to slash emissions linked to global warming. They will establish regional targets for reducing greenhouse gases and a regional cap and trade mechanism for carbon emissions. Manitoba is already involved in a similar climate change agreement with western premiers and states - the Western Climate Initiative.
South Dakota, Indiana, and Ohio signed on as observers: Nebraska and North Dakota declined to participate. All 12 governors and Manitoba signed the "Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform for the Midwest" to:
- encourage development of hydro power, wind, biofuels, geothermal and other renewable energy sources
- outline specific efforts to increase energy efficiency
- set goals for development of next-generation coal-fired power plants and carbon dumps for emissions generated by coal plants
View November 15, 2007 Minnesota Environmental Partnership Loon Commons Blog
View November 15, 2007 Manitoba Government press release
View November 15, 2006 Governor of Wisconsin press release
View 2007 Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord (PDF)
View 2007 Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform for the Midwest (PDF)