States to move on cutting emissions (without Mass.)

[Eugene]

States to move on cutting emissions
Reluctant Mass. may be left behind

By Beth Daley, Globe Staff | December 2, 2005

Seven Northeast states decided yesterday to move forward without
Massachusetts on a landmark agreement to limit power plant emissions,
because of the Romney administration's reluctance to act on the pact,
according to two government officials involved in the negotiations.

However, officials for the seven states told Massachusetts officials
in a conference call yesterday that they hoped the Bay State would
still sign on before the pact is formally announced by Dec. 15,
according to the two officials, who were on the call and declined to
be named because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. They said
that after the other states made their intentions clear, the
Massachusetts officials left the phone call.

Governor Mitt Romney has raised concerns in recent weeks over the cost
of the greenhouse gas reduction program for businesses, among other
issues. Romney has proposed that the agreement cap the price that
power plants would pay to emit pollution. Other states and
environmentalists have strongly opposed a cap.

<snip>

The initiative is the first major effort to bypass President Bush's
refusal to enact strict limits on greenhouse gases. Massachusetts is
considered a pivotal player in the pact and has helped lead
negotiations. Participants had hoped to announce the agreement
yesterday to coincide with a key climate-change meeting going on
through next week in Montreal.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/02/states_to_move_on_cutting_emissions
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Damn you, Mittens! :grr:

[rox63]

1. Take our governor, please

I can't wait to be rid of Mittens. I've offered to ship him to several red states on my tab, but none of them will take him. Not even Utah. :shrug: