Citing a federal leadership void, the governors of five western U.S.
states have formed a regional partnership to cut greenhouse gases and
fight climate change. The Western Regional Climate Action Initiative,
which includes Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and New Mexico,
will create a regional target for cuts over the next six months and a
market-based plan for meeting the goal within 18 months. Like the
Northeast's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the partnership "shows
the power of states to lead our nation addressing climate change," says
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), whom we just want to hug.
"Western states are being particularly hard-hit by the effects of
climate change," says Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) pitifully. What
the heck, we'll hug her too. With British Columbia expressing interest
in the pact and the middle of the country caught in the squeeze, some
expect businesses to beg even louder for national standards. Mr. Void,
are you listening?
straight to the source: Reuters, Timothy Gardner, 26 Feb 2007
Five Western States Form Regional Climate-Change Partnership
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If At First You Don't Secede
Grist Magazine, Feb 27, 2007
Straight to the Source
