Environmental Reforms Coming One Way or Another

With the lack of leadership by the Republicans in Washington to do anything about global warming, the president vetoing federal funding on stem cell research, and Congress giving themselves a hefty raise while ignoring the working class Americans, state and local officials are taking it upon themselves to pass legislation of these issues.

Unfortunately, due to each state coming up with different rules and regulations for each issue, we end up with a hodge-podge of laws across the country that make it much more expensive for business to operate and for people to know what the hell is going on.

Even with the majority of Americans supporting national legislation on these issues, the GOP which controls all three branches of the government, can't seem to be able to pull themselves together long enough to do anything about it. There lack of foresight will only lead to hurting the economy and the people they are sworn to protect and serve. Instead, they are focusing their attention and the really insignificant stuff like flag burning and gay marriage.

Cities, States Aren't Waiting For U.S. Action on Climate
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 11, 2006; Page A01

With Washington lawmakers deadlocked on how best to curb global warming, state and local officials across the country are adopting ambitious policies and forming international alliances aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.

The initiatives, which include demands that utilities generate some of their energy using renewable sources and mandates for a reduction in emissions from motor vehicles, have emboldened clean-air advocates who hope they will form the basis for broader national action. But in the meantime, some businesses say the local and state actions are creating a patchwork of regulations that they must contend with.

This flurry of action is part of a growing movement among state and local leaders who have given up hope that Congress and the administration will tackle major issues, and are launching their own initiatives on immigration, stem cell research and energy policy. Last week alone, former president Bill Clinton launched an effort with 22 of the world's largest cities to cut their emissions, while California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said they will explore trading carbon dioxide pollution credits across the Atlantic.

Recently, 22 states and the District of Columbia have set standards demanding that utilities generate a specific amount of energy -- in some cases, as high as 33 percent -- from renewable sources by 2020. And 11 states have set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

(Full Story)