More States Make Strides to Address Global Warming
In the absence of any meaningful action on climate change by the Bush administration, more than half of U.S. states are stepping up to address the problem through legislation, programs launched by governors, or lawsuits. In the last three years, state legislatures have approved at least 29 bills that deal with some aspect of global warming or carbon dioxide emissions, often with bipartisan support. At least 15 states, including Nevada and Texas, are requiring utilities to add renewable sources like wind and solar to their energy mix. “We hope to see the problem addressed at the federal level, but we’re not waiting around,” said David Danner, energy adviser to Washington Gov. Gary Locke (D). As states and cities create a patchwork of varying laws and rules across the country, pressure is likely to grow on the U.S. government to address climate change on a federal level and set nationwide standards.
