SEATTLE (AP) - Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed an executive order directing state officials to work on the problem of ocean acidification.
The governor is also recommending $3.3 million in her proposed budget to address top recommendations made by an expert panel she called to study the issue. She made the announcement Tuesday with the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other officials.
The problem known as acidification is caused when oceans absorb human-generated carbon dioxide. It has hit the shellfish industry in the Northwest hard.
The panel came up dozens of actions. It's unclear how much traction the ideas will have as a new governor takes office in January and where the state would find the money to pay for them.
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