WYOMING GOV DEMANDS FED ACTION ON EMISSIONS

Governor Freudenthal’s call for a national policy on climate change is incisive despite his advocacy for “clean coal.” His phrase to describe the federal government’s failure to provide strong incentives and guidelines in the effort to control GHG emissions and reverse climate change was inspired: "Balkanization of the economy." Energy companies, getting mixed signals from mixed state government policies, work at economic cross purposes.

Gov prods feds on carbon
Mary Clare Jalonick, September 7, 2007 (AP via Casper Star-Tribune)

WHO
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, House of Represntatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (Chairman Ed Markey (D-Mass)

Balkanization. Emissions rampant. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Freudenthal, testifying before House committee, urged federal action to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

WHEN
Freudenthal’s testimony was September 7. He stressed the urgency of taking action through federal policy.

WHERE
Freudenthal pointed out that investment tax credits for wind energy had incentivized development and urged lawmakers to do the same for “clean” coal.

WHY
Freudenthal’s advocacy for coal is motivated by his state’s enormous reserves. Wyoming produces more coal than any other state. Some would argue federal investment might more wisely be made in long term incentives for wind.

25 different Renewable Electricity Standards (RESs) generates 25 different business plans. A NATIONAL Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) generates a NATIONAL business plan. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Freudenthal: "The problem at hand is enormous. Climate change does not wait for us, and we cannot afford to delay…The influx of new wind projects is largely due to a generous tax credit for wind power development…The federal government needs to dedicate the same level of commitment to questions about clean coal. If we don't do something to assist in the capture of carbon from coal, we'll have neither market forces nor tax incentives for companies to make that investment."
- Markey: "…[T]he single greatest challenge we now face is how to reconcile our reliance on coal with the urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions."