WP,pg1: Cities, States Aren't Waiting For U.S. Action on Climate Change

[DeepModem Mom]

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


From left, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former president Bill Clinton, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and London Mayor Ken Livingstone pledged last week to cooperate to reduce greenhouse gases. The initiative, led by Clinton, focuses on emissions from 22 of the world's largest cities. (By Rene Macura -- Associated Press)

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.

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....

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Some local officials said they are pushing ahead with plans because the Bush administration, which has promoted cleaner technology but opposes mandatory curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, has failed to adequately address the problem.

But some experts say there is a political imperative at work, as well...."State and local governments are less removed from their constituents, so they're more responsive to voters' concerns," said (Tim) Profeta, who sits on North Carolina's climate-change commission and has met with British officials on the subject. "Climate change is on people's minds, and they're asking for action."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081001492.html

[rodeodance]

1. The Bush WH does not want to govern for the 'common good"