Governator To Study Proposed Gasoline Tax To Fight Climate Breakdown

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration is expected this month to release a plan to combat global warming that recommends raising petroleum prices and requiring industries to report, for the first time, their greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in gas prices would fund research into alternative fuels.

Nine months ago, Schwarzenegger garnered international headlines by calling for California to mount an aggressive effort to address global warming. Now he faces the difficult part: shepherding new policies into place that could affect every car owner, farmer and big industry in the state.

The proposal, drafted by the governor's senior environmental advisers, has both business groups and clean-air advocates girding for a fight in Sacramento that could have profound national environmental and political implications. With President Bush reluctant to steer federal policy toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions, states and cities have taken the lead on what most environmentalists agree is the most critical issue facing the planet. "What you're considering in California is much broader than anything being discussed in other states _ it's very significant," said Ned Helme, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Clean Air Policy, a nonprofit environmental think tank.

For Schwarzenegger, global warming could be a tricky political issue this year. Sources at the state Environmental Protection Agency _ which is charged with writing the recommendations to achieve Schwarzenegger's goals _ say the proposal will call for a new charge on petroleum equal to less than a penny per gallon of gasoline. Conservative activists have begun to complain about the idea, branding it a gas tax. The proposal could be released just before the state Republican Convention, which begins Feb. 24, where GOP activists already are preparing to debate resolutions condemning other Schwarzenegger proposals they disagree with.

EDIT

This should be interesting . . .

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=CLIMATECHANGE-02-17-06

suggesting we consider an energy tax to fight global warming?

He spent so much time trying to suck up to the no tax, wing nut, hater wing of his own party that he pissed off everybody else in the state. After his wacko initiatives went down in flames he woke up and is trying to move back to the center but it's too fucken late. Nobody's buying the new moderate titzengrabber. Plus he has now alienated the lunatic fringe so he has very little support left. Dem candidates are pretty bland but I'm betting they have an even chance of ending this friggin ape's political career.

on deploying actual solutions, not research. I don't know what would be the best form for that to take. Maybe use it to expand public transportation? Or purchase state-owned wind farms? Aggressive subsidies for insulation upgrades, solar heat and/or PV, or corporate subsidies for wind or nuclear?

Will this go anywhere? Will this have a chance?

I'm not certain what to think. What it comes down to is really this - which will Americans choose - paying 10 cents less on a gallon of gas, or trying to ensure long-term sustainability for their kids?

At the moment, my money's on saving 10 cents - but perhaps you can understand, if not forgive, my cynicism.

Not only will they choose saving the 10 cents, they will run the Governator out of office, for even daring to offend their ears by suggesting it. You know, the "Jimmy Carter effect."

:eyes: