Governor Gregoire signs climate executive order, citizens rally for climate action

SEATTLE -- Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed an executive order aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Watch King5 coverage of Governor Gregoire signing the executive order. 

She signed the order after testifying at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing in Seattle on a proposed finding that greenhouse gases threaten health.

The order signed Thursday includes aspects of a climate change bill that failed to pass in the recent legislative session. Among other things, it directs the state Department of Ecology to work with large industries to find ways to cut emissions, and calls for plans on how the state's largest counties can reduce the number of vehicles driven.

The EPA is holding hearings in Seattle and Virginia.

The EPA said last month that concentrations of six greenhouse gases threaten human health and welfare. That could lead to regulating the gases under the Clean Air Act.  Opponents say new emission limits would be too costly.

Environmental groups this afternoon rallied outside the hearing on the Seattle waterfront.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels also is scheduled to testify.

Gregoire today said we can't afford to wait any longer, and that climate change is happening now.

"Are we going to simply sit and do nothing and allow the status quo, or are we going to exercise the kind of leadership that is necessary in this state and for this nation to address climate change," she said. "I think tomorrow is too late, today is possibly too late, but we're not going to give up. We're going to start today to make sure we lead this nation."