In absence of federal action, 31 states, representing 70% of U.S. population, will track emissions

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: 31 states to track, measure greenhouse gas emissions
By Janet Wilson, Times Staff Writer
May 8, 2007

Led by California and New England, 31 states representing more than 70 percent of the U.S. population announced Tuesday that they will jointly track and measure greenhouse gas emissions by major industries.

The newly formed Climate Registry is the latest example of states going farther than the federal government in taking steps to combat global warming. State officials and some affected industries and environmentalists say the registry is a crucial precursor to both mandatory and market based regulation of industrial gases that contribute to warming.

All agree the most important part of the new registry is that the emissions statistics that are collected will be subjected to third-party verification, unlike a Bush administration program that does not require verification.

"You have to be able to count carbon pollution in order to cut carbon pollution," said Frances Beinecke, president of the environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The registry gives business and policymakers an essential accounting tool for tracking the success of the many emerging global warming emission reduction initiatives that are blossoming across the country."

The registry participants range from states that are moving aggressively to impose mandatory greenhouse gas reduction policies to others that are just beginning to examine whether to take even voluntary steps....

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"The Climate Registry is another example of how states are taking the lead in the absence of federal action to address greenhouse gas emissions in this country," said Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat whose state is a charter member....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-greenhouse9may09,0,5999838.story?coll=la-home-center