Governor's Task Force on Global Warming
Executive Order # 191

WHEREAS, a recent study by over 600 scientists from 40 countries reported the level of greenhouse gases in the world's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, are at their highest levels in over 650,000 years and world temperatures are estimated to increase by as much as 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Academy of Sciences, today's temperatures are the highest they have been in over 2,000 years; and

WHEREAS, greenhouse gas emissions grew by 20 percent in the United States and by 26 percent in Wisconsin over the last decade; and

WHEREAS, there is broad scientific consensus on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80 percent by 2050 in order to stabilize the climate and avoid the most serious effects of global warming; and

WHEREAS, failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could raise Wisconsin temperatures, increase the severity of droughts, further reduce water levels in Lake Michigan, destroy wetlands, harm croplands and forests, and harm public health, among other damaging effects; and

WHEREAS, many private businesses, individuals and municipalities throughout the United States are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable fuels; and

WHEREAS, the reduction of greenhouse gases along with increases in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy will create new jobs and save Wisconsin citizens and businesses millions of dollars while significantly improving our quality of life;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jim Doyle, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. § 14.019, do hereby:

1. Establish the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming (the "Task Force"); and
2. Direct the Department of Natural Resources, with the assistance of the Public Service Commission, to lead an effort to establish an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions by sector and source type in Wisconsin along with an estimate of the same emissions for the year 1990; and
3. Provide that the Task Force will include up to 29 members of stakeholders including representatives from the farm, forestry, pulp and paper industry, automotive industry, electric utilities, environmental organizations, the university research community and other critical sectors; and
4. Provide that members of the Task Force shall be appointed by the Governor to serve at the pleasure of the Governor; and
5. Provide that there will be two (2) co-chairpersons of the Task Force and that these co-chairpersons shall be designated by the Governor from among the Task Force's membership; and
6. Provide that members of the Task Force may serve on the Task Force through designees; and
7. Provide that the Task Force shall have the following mission:
   1. Present viable, actionable policy recommendations to the Governor to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Wisconsin and make Wisconsin a leader in implementation of global warming solutions; and
   2. Advise the Governor on ongoing opportunities to address global warming locally while growing our state's economy, creating new jobs, and utilizing an appropriate mix of fuels and technologies in Wisconsin's energy and transportation portfolios; and
   3. Identify specific short term and long term goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Wisconsin that are, at a minimum consistent with the Wisconsin's proportionate share of the reductions that are needed to occur worldwide to minimize the impacts of global warming;
8. Require the Task Force to submit a final report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor on or before December 31, 2007, and that the Task Force shall dissolve when its final report is accepted by the Governor.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this fifth day of April in the year two thousand and seven.

Last Revised: Monday February 11 2008