Washington Panel Issues Dueling Climate Reports

A bipartisan Washington climate panel has released dueling reports how to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The panel posted separate reports online Wednesday, splitting along party lines. It had missed a December deadline to come up with recommendations on tackling carbon pollution.

Two Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee recommended more ambitious policies including capping carbon pollution, reducing the amount of coal-powered electricity utilities in the state use and promote cleaner cars and cleaner fuels. They say the state must take action to meet a state mandate to cut emissions.

Meanwhile, the panel’s two Republicans recommended studying nuclear generation, encouraging conservation, providing incentives for hydroelectric power and revisiting the emissions goals set in 2008. They want an additional year to study the impacts of the policies.