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Ear to the Ground

While Feds Stall, Locals Tackle Big Issues

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Posted on Aug 11, 2006

In the face of stagnant federal policy, more and more localities have adopted their own measures to address the environment, stem-cell research and immigration.  Impatient for action from deadlocked Washington, cities and states have increasingly crafted their own policies regarding the major issues of the day, even reaching out to foreign leaders.  California, for instance, has required automakers to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% as of 2016, with 10 states following suit. 

Washington Post:

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.

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By Dana, August 13, 2006 at 4:03 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

If you saw the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car?”  you realize that California imposed the criteria/regulations that led to the creation of an environment-friendly electric car industry.  However, mysteriously, the cars were leased, not sold (huh?), and in 2002-2003 as the leases expired, they were repossessed by the manufacturers, and then “taken out of circulation”. ALL OF THEM.  The electric car owners, and the waiting list of potential buyers were VERY upset.  Even the Post Office electric vehicles were being replaced by combustion engine cars.  So California is again leading the way, and I hope that this time, they won’t recall the innovative products that come out of this overdue initiative.
Do you know that an electric car can be powered by solar energy, if your house is solar-powered?

More info on today’s electric cars at

http://www.pluginamerica.org

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By Todd, August 11, 2006 at 10:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

This is exactly the way it should be.  If Californians are concerned about CO2 emissions, then they should be able to pass that law.  If Nevadans are not concerned, then they don’t have to pass the law.  The less power that is in Washington the better.

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