Good News on Climate
Hooray -- today's papers bring two pieces of good news!
First, Washington State rejected plans for a new coal-fired power plant, because the proposed plant would boost climate-warming emissions:
In a critical first test of a new state law meant to block construction of power plants that spew climate-changing gases, a state panel soundly rejected plans for a 793-megawatt plant in Kalama, Cowlitz County, that would be fueled by coal or oil-refinery waste.
That's great news: not only because of this particular plant, but also because it demonstrates that legal measures to curb climate change are actually beginning to have an effect.
And second, the US Energy Information Administration is reporting that GHG emissions in the US fell in 2006 (pdf link)-- the first decline since 2001. My guess is that, even in the absence of a comprehensive climate policy, higher energy prices are beginning to take the edge off energy appetite. Of course, the decline was modest -- only about 1.5 percent -- and much of it could be attributed to mild weather. Still, when it comes to the climate, I'll take my good news where I can get it.
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