Western governors agree to work together on greenhouse gas emissions

[Mrs. Overall]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Governors from five Western states agreed Monday to work together to reduce greenhouse gases, saying their region has suffered some of the worst of global warming with recent droughts and bad fire seasons.

The governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington state agreed that they would develop a regional target to lower greenhouse gases and create a program aimed at helping businesses reach the still-undecided goals.

"In the absence of meaningful federal action, it is up to the states to take action to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this country," said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat. "Western states are being particularly hard-hit by the effects of climate change."

more:http://www.komotv.com/news/6080201.html

[kestrel91316]

1. The absence of NV, ID, MT, UT, CO, WY from this group is duly noted.

[Judi Lynn]

2. 5 Western governors agree to work on greenhouse gas emissions

5 Western governors agree to work on greenhouse gas emissions
By Robert Tanner
ASSOCIATED PRESS

7:56 a.m. February 26, 2007

WASHINGTON – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and governors from four other Western states agreed Monday to work together to reduce greenhouse gases, saying their region has suffered some of the worst of global warming with recent droughts and bad fire seasons.

The governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington state agreed that they would develop a regional target to lower greenhouse gases and create a program aimed at helping businesses reach the still-undecided goals.

“In the absence of meaningful federal action, it is up to the states to take action to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this country,” said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat. “Western states are being particularly hard-hit by the effects of climate change.”

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said a so-called cap-and-trade program, which lets companies that can't meet their emission reduction targets buy credits from those that reduce carbon dioxide, would provide “a powerful framework for developing a national cap-and-trade program. ... This agreement shows the power of states to lead our nation addressing climate change.”
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070226-0756-wst-governors-globalwarming.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Good. It will be up to the governors and mayors to do

what **'s admin refuses to.

[theaudacity]

4. Five western states to bypass Bush on climate

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Five Western U.S. states have formed the latest regional pact that bypasses the Bush administration to cut emissions linked to global warming through market mechanisms, according to Oregon's governor.

Oregon, California, Washington, New Mexico and Arizona have agreed to develop a regional target for reducing greenhouse emissions in six months, according a statement from Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

During the next 18 months, the governors will devise a market-based program, such as a load-based cap and trade program to reach the target. The five states also have agreed to participate in a multi-state registry to track and manage greenhouse gas emissions in their region...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022600733.html

[BadgerKid]

5. Reminds me of food labeling

Different states, different standards. Too "hard" for companies to maintain different requirements. If it stands, said companies will lobby for federal subsidies (read: tax breaks).

The Republics won't be able to claim "hey, good for them, pulling themselves up" if doing so hurts Big Business.

[Lisa]

6. the BC premier had better be there with his nose pressed against the window ....

.... begging to be let in. I heard through the gov't employee grapevine that Oregon and Washington State were trying to get British Columbia to jump on board, several years ago ... and Campbell (and the petrosaurs in his cabinet who call over to Alberta every day for instructions) said no. If he's serious about his big announcement this month about giving BC the most aggressive carbon-cutting policies in Canada, he should listen up!