by Robert Levy

Fox News

08/19/04

Eight state attorneys general have joined together to sue the nation's five largest public utilities. The goal: to force a 3 percent annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the coming decade. The problem, however, is that none of the utilities are located in any of the eight states, and that the AG's have neither the authority nor the responsibility to act in the broader national interest -- as they are claiming to do. In fact, the party with that authority and responsibility -- the U.S. government -- has enacted federal statutes that preempt state laws. ...

Today, Congress is considering another bill, introduced by Sens. John McCain [R-AZ] and Joseph Lieberman [D-CT], that would cap CO2 emissions. The public interest is best served when federal and state regulation is complementary, not duplicative or conflicting...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129378,00.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp