Governors Announce Western U.S. Global Warming Pact

Today, five western governors... four Democrats, one RINO-Democrat... announced the formation of the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, a regional pact that bypasses the Bush Administration to cut greenhouse emissions connected with global warming.

The governors who crafted this innovative program, which is based on similar initiatives in Europe and a seven-state pact in the eastern U.S., are: Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington, Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, and RINO (Republican in Name Only) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Gov. Napolitano is Chair of the National Governors' Association, and in November 2005, was named by Time magazine as one of the five best state governors. Gov. Richardson, of course, is a candidate for the Democratic 2008 nomination for the presidency.

Per the joint announcement issued on February 26, 2007:

At the annual winter meeting (held this past weekend) of the National Governors Association, the five governors "signed the agreement that directs their respective states to, within the next six months, develop a regional target for reducing greenhouse gases.

During the next 18 months, they will devise a market-based program... to reach the target. The five states also have agreed to participate in a multi-state registry to track and manage greenhouse gas emission in their region."

Commented Gov. Richardson, "With this agreement, states are once again taking the lead on combatting global climate change--- while Washington D.C. sits on its hands."

Gov. Napolitano echoed a similar sentiment about the Bush Administration's refusal to join the international community in fighting global warning, "In the absence of meaningful federal action, it is up to the States to take action to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this country."

For a quick-reading explanation of federal inaction on global warming, read my article George Bush Refuses to Sign Kyoto Pact to Stem Global Warming

Related Reading
Bill Richardson, 2008 Presidential Candidate Info Center at About.com Liberal Politics
Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's Newest Democrat

Global Warming at About.com Guide to Environmental Issues
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Global Warming - Frequently Asked Questions
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