• Accounting for the costs of greenhouse gas emissions in each jurisdiction. Oregon will build on existing programs to set a price on carbon emissions. Washington will set binding limits on carbon emissions and deploy market mechanisms to meet those limits. British Columbia and California will maintain their existing carbon-pricing programs. Where possible, California, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington will link programs for consistency and predictability and to expand opportunities to grow the region's low-carbon economy.

• Harmonizing 2050 targets for greenhouse gas reductions and developing mid-term targets needed to support long-term reduction goals. To advance long-term reductions, Washington already has in place a mid-term 2035 target. California and Oregon will establish their own mid-term targets. British Columbia has already legislated 2020 and 2050 targets and will explore whether setting a mid-term target will aid their achievement.

• Adopting and maintaining low-carbon fuel standards in each jurisdiction. Oregon and Washington will adopt low-carbon fuels standards, and California and British Columbia will maintain their existing standards. Over time, the governments of California, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington will work together to build an integrated West Coast market for low-carbon fuels that keeps energy dollars in the region, creates economic development opportunities for regional fuel production, and ensures predictability and consistency in the market.

• Taking actions to expand the use of zero-emission vehicles, aiming for 10% of new public and private vehicle purchases by 2016. The Pacific Coast already has the highest penetration of electric cars in North America. The governments of California, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington will work together towards this ambitious new target by supporting public and private fleet managers to shift their procurement investments to catalyze toward electric car purchases and by continuing to invest in necessary infrastructure to enable low-carbon electric transportation.

• Enlisting support for research on ocean acidification and taking action to combat it.

• Continue deployment of high-speed rail across the region. The governments of California, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington continue to support the Pacific Coast Collaborative’s Vision for high speed rail in the region, and will continue to seek opportunities to invest in rail infrastructure that moves people quickly, safely and efficiently, and encourages innovation in rail technology manufactured in the region.

• Support emerging markets and innovation for alternative fuels in commercial trucks, buses, rail, ports and marine transportation. The governments of California, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington will develop targets and action plans to accelerate public and private investment in low-carbon commercial fleets and support the market transition to biofuels, electricity, natural gas and other low-carbon fuels in local and export markets.

• Transform the market for energy efficiency and lead the way to “net-zero” buildings.

• Support strong federal policy on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

• Support integration of the region’s electricity grids.

Earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced an agreement with Québec outlining steps and procedures to fully harmonize and integrate their cap and trade programs. (Earlier post.) Signing the agreement is the latest step in a process to link the two jurisdictions that began more than five years ago.

The Pacific Coast states and BC have a combined population of 53 million and a regional economy with a combined GDP of US$2.8 trillion—the world’s fifth largest.