Western states and Canada propose regional emissions regulations

Seven Western states and four Canadian provinces proposed a sweeping regional crackdown on global warming emissions Tuesday in the face of continuing reluctance by the Bush administration and Congress to pass comprehensive climate legislation. 

The Western Climate Initiative, endorsed by the 11 governors and provincial premiers, aims to slash regional greenhouse gas pollutants by about 15% below 2005 levels in the next 12 years.

“We’re sending a strong message to our federal governments that states and provinces are moving forward in the absence of federal action,” said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, adding that the effort would spur renewable energy development and create “green jobs.”