Governors' conference kicks off in Traverse City

[struggle4progress]

Governors' conference kicks off in Traverse City
July 21, 2007
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF
FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF

TRAVERSE CITY -- Thirty-five of the nation's governors kicked off their summer conference here Saturday, as Gov. Jennifer Granholm welcomed them against a backdrop of Grand Traverse Bay's blue surf and spectacular, sunny weather. ~snip~

The opening event also drew comments on global climate change. Granholm said while it's important for states to limit carbon dioxide emissions, and said all 2008 presidential candidates should insist that U.S. trade partners agree to limit carbon emissions as well.

"We can do all we want in the Unites States, but if there is no global lessening of emissions out of China, than it is nothing," she said. "We have to have a global policy." ~snip~

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/NEWS06/70721012/0/NEWS06

West doesn't seek Great Lakes water, governor says
Gordon Trowbridge and Mark Hornbeck / The Detroit News

TRAVERSE CITY -- Standing in front of a calm, brilliant blue Grand Traverse Bay, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano tried to assure Michiganians today that her desert state is not after Great Lakes water.

Napolitano, during the kickoff news conference at the National Governors Association's 99th annual meeting, in the Traverse City area, said Arizona instead is exploring water management issues to address the state's water scarcity.

"We're looking at new ways of conservation that does not mean taking it from the Great Lakes," said Napolitano, who is chairwoman of the NGA.

"Amen, sister," Gov. Jennifer Granholm chimed in. ~snip~

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/UPDATE/707210399/1003/METRO

Governors Address Climate Change

By JOHN FLESHER
The Associated Press
Saturday, July 21, 2007; 8:38 PM

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- States should develop creative approaches to climate change, just as they have with challenges such as health care, despite their different economic interests, governors said Saturday.

"No individual state is going to solve the climate change problem, but we can do our part," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. "In the absence of national or international consensus or progress, we have the opportunity to show the way." ~snip~

Stephen Johnson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the European Union's environmental affairs counselor joined the discussion. More than a dozen states are asking the EPA for greater authority to regulate greenhouse gases, particularly automobile exhaust emissions.

"With the states taking action, even if you don't have 100 percent of America, you can have 40 or 50 percent or more, and that's a good start," Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell said. "We can't just wait around for the federal government." ~snip~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/21/AR2007072101160.html