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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2008 11:23 pm
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Herald Editorial Board

Bob Bolerjack,
Opinion Editor
bolerjack@heraldnet.com

Carol MacPherson,
Editorial Writer
cmacpherson@
heraldnet.com


Allen Funk,
Herald Publisher
funk@heraldnet.com

Kim Heltne,
Assistant to the Publisher
heltne@heraldnet.com

Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Tuesday


Try out your sea legs: Replicas of historic shi...
Lucas leads Hulbert for Superior Court seat
Bergeson, Dorn lead in race for state schools c...
Monday


Gardeners create an oasis on Everett's Casino Road
Mukilteo polls its potential citizens on annexa...
Local kids dream of Olympics with every stroke,...
Sunday


'53 Olds: Rare, low miles, must sell to help ho...
Shoreline man in hospital after jump from I-5 o...
$140,000 paid out in probe of Everett teacher
Saturday


Everett's next big wave
Drop in driving could leave hole in budget
Everett compost company's still causing a stink
Friday


Twins' lives 'a story of miracles'
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon overst...
Fewer break-ins on Camano Island: Is fugitive g...
Thursday


Woman to be sentenced as juvenile in Ecstasy de...
Retired Herald photographer Jim Leo, 73, dies
Fear and sorrow in Puget Sound area for Georgia
Wednesday


Marysville standoff ends in arrest
Hunter, 14, to be charged in killing
Craigslist sex ads lead to 15 arrests
 

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Published: Sunday, February 3, 2008

We all have role to play in reducing emissions

When the federal government blocked California's tough vehicle emissions standards in December -- stopping Washington's new standards in the process -- it underscored why so many states and local governments are taking their own aggressive steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change.

The Bush administration not only won't lead on this critical issue, it won't get out of the way.

That barrier to responsible action probably will be lowered or removed completely when a new president takes office next January, but in the meantime, it's good that state and local efforts are moving forward -- on their own and in concert. Those who lead in finding solutions now will be in a better position to avoid a panicked and potentially more costly scramble to clean up their act later. By adopting cleaner practices and policies now, especially ones that use incentives to encourage innovation, our region will be in a better position to take advantage of economic benefits to be gained as new green technologies emerge.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking lawmakers in Olympia to keep Washington out front by taking some measured steps this session that would lead to larger initiatives, still under discussion by the governor's public/private Climate Advisory Team, for next year. Among her proposals are requiring large greenhouse-gas emitters, like industrial sites and vehicle fleet operators, to report their emissions so a baseline can be established to measure future reductions. Straightforward formulas based on fuel consumption can be used, said Janice Adair of the state Department of Ecology; lots of expensive equipment won't be required.

Gregoire also wants to create a training program to support the growth of clean-energy jobs.

Meanwhile, Washington is working with other Western states, three Mexican states and two Canadian provinces on the Western Climate Initiative, which is working to design a regional, market-based system to help achieve significant emission reductions. A proposal from that group is expected in August. Closer to home, Snohomish County and its largest cities are measuring their emissions, phasing cleaner burning fuels into their fleets, adopting greener building standards and taking other steps to ensure emission reductions.

Individuals can do their part by taking an inventory of their own emissions footprint. In our region, 45 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions come from transportation, primarily cars. Adopting greener habits, like carpooling or using transit, combining errands and considering a more fuel-efficient vehicle can make a huge difference in our overall success.

Action to curb climate change is necessary and inevitable. The more we do now, as individuals, communities and states, the more in control of those steps we're likely to be.

1. Marysville: 40 swastikas scrawled on bales of hay
2. Plea goes out to save cats at Everett shelter
3. Everett date set for Neil Young concert
4. Try out your sea legs: Replicas of historic ships dock in Everett
5. Mill Creek survives, advances to semis
6. U.S. cars disliked more than ever
7. Last day to turn in primary ballots
8. Mill Creek powers past Maryland
9. Blinded Iraqi boy 'Hamoody' gets asylum to stay in U.S.
10. Transformer blast sparks fires in Snohomish
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
King County Sheriff Office gets new eye in the sky
McAuliffe holding big lead in early Primary returns
Roberts, Liias romp in 21st
Budget crisis looms in Edmonds
Use of 43 acres at Fircrest still under discussion
First risk and safety assessment of state public health lab to take place
New art installation in Echo Lake Park
Woman who claimed rape changes her story
Mill Creek edges Indiana in seven innings
The Enterprise Online Newspaper

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