WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fifty-four companies, governments and other organizations agreed help develop and manage a greenhouse gas emissions reporting system as "Founding Reporters" of The Climate Registry.

That includes big names, such as Alcoa, Shell, National Grid, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co., in addition to municipalities of Seattle and Austin, Texas. Those joining the group before May will receive Founding Reporter status.

Begun by a coalition of 31 states, The Climate Registry is sort of a tool to help organizations track, verify and report emissions as part of a larger movement to ultimately reduce emissions. To date, there are 39 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, three Native American tribes, two Mexican states and the District of Columbia are members of The Climate Registry.

Founding Reporters must agree to measure, verify and publicly report their emissions every year using the group's reporting protocol based on those from the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainable Development.