Washington is close to becoming the second state after California to have the right to impose state-wide emission laws.

Following a vote in the state House of Representatives, legislation imbuing local officials with the power to cut emissions was ratified on Thursday after local politicians voted 84 to14 in its favour.

The bill will commit the federal government to cutting emissions to the level at which they stood in the 1990s and to reduce them by half by 2050.

News of the bill's initial ratification comes after it emerged yesterday that the state of Vermont is facing opposition from an auto industry cabal in its attempts to pass a law that would give the state the right to cut emissions by 30 per cent within its boundaries.

A further nine states are also considering imposing laws instilling their elected officials with similar powers.

Rhode Island is expected to be the next state to vote on the bill, whereupon the auto industry is also expected to contest the ruling.

Sources:
Environment bill limits emissions
13/04/07
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003665035_warming13m.html

Trial over cars, carbon gets under way
10/04/07
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18043613/  

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