Britain and California to join forces on global warming

This is a not a "treaty", it's a cap and trade agreement, which is more like a business deal. Several of the states in New England are instituting similar programs, even though the US government has declined to institute them. While there might be some political ramifications when a state governor sidesteps the federal government and negotiates an agreement with a foreign government, there are no constitutional issues here.

 

At least the Governors are taking care of business when the Federal Government is incapable of doing so.

If enough States act, either Congress can finally get on board, or they are moot.

And hey....Schwarzenegger doesn't even need to sign the Kyoto Protocol to recognize a problem do something. Imagine that.

Now Schwarzenegger has to put his money where his mouth is. Currently hybrid drivers get to drive in the HOV lanes and that's it. And that runs out in 2008. So what is Schwarzenegger going to do to encourage greener cars? He can't just subsidize buses or trucks that go natural gas or something else. Forget hydrogen. It isn't going to be viable by 2010. So...what are his options.

Well, while there are some recharging stations already out there (that would tie in to his million solar roofs plan that still isn't passed) there aren't any more EVs on the market or purchase.

What does that leave for the little guy?

Well, hybrids.

What is the State of Callifornia doing to encourage the purchas of hybrids? Do we get a break on the sales tax when we buy one? No. Do we get any breaks when we pay registration? No. Do we get any credit or rebate on our state income tax like the Federal government has? No.

A few cities let you park in metered parking.

But other than the HOV access....we get nada.

So, Awnold, how are you going to encourage the public to go green? How are you going to encourage people to buy a hybrid when it comes time to replace that gas guzzler? What do you do about the people who can't afford to replace that gas guzzler? And no, they aren't all going to just take the bus. Unfortunately, the infrastructure of California still isn't public transportation friendly/practical.

(And can you please put some solar panels on *my* roof?)

 

This is interesting to me. I will trust in your research, wstander, in that he's acting out of capacity and in violation of the Constitution. The air in my office is OUT and it's 99 degrees outside!?!?!? I don't have much energy to exhaust for research when I'm trying to get my real job done.

Anyway, last week I had seen a carbon trading plan that some European countries (maybe all?) have enacted whereby carbon quantities are purchased and if the purchaser does not use all of them, they are sold back to the system and can be purchased by another entity. I'm not sure how this helps anything. What does it matter which entity is producing the emission? Is the theory just that because the carbon allowance costs money, people will be more apt to reduce their usage? What's your take on this?

 

gee Olympia has a sister city in Japan... we must be in violation as well. we do have cultural and student exchange programs... yep... we baaad

 

Ah, yes. It's been announced.

I love an election year. Schools are fully funded and the environment gets support and promises of action.

If only they had to run for office every year.

Schwarzenegger criticizes Bush over environment

Britain, California to cooperate

UK, CA strike Global Warming deal

Britain, California work together

Blair, Schwarzenegger announce plan

 

we also have an agricultural exchange program as well

 

actually it was the city governments that signed the agreement. that was years ago