WHEREAS, there are indications that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are rising and are projected to continue to increase; and

        WHEREAS, human activities contribute to creation of greenhouse gases; and

        WHEREAS, greenhouse gases are believed to trap heat in the atmosphere and have been linked by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences to drought, reduced snow pack, altered precipitation patterns, more severe forest and rangeland fires, and forest diseases; and

        WHEREAS, the Western Governors' Association projects that rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could have economic and environmental impacts on the West in coming decades, and

        WHEREAS, the causes and effects of rising greenhouse gases, to the degree they are understood, may extend to the Western United States and the State of Idaho, and it is incumbent upon states to take a leadership role in developing responsive state-level policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop alternative energy sources and use energy efficiently,

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and the laws of the State of Idaho do hereby order that:

1.     The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall take a leadership role to work with
        all state government departments and agencies and shall serve as the central point of contact for
        coordination and implementation of greenhouse gas reduction efforts and other associated activities.

2.     The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall develop a greenhouse gas emission
        inventory and provide recommendations to the Governor on how to reduce greenhouse gas
        emissions in Idaho, recognizing Idaho's interest in continued growth, economic development and
        energy security.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 16th day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE