Midwestern States Agree to Renewable Energy Pact

Frustrated with sluggish legislation, six Midwestern governors have joined forces to take matters into their own hands. The governors and premier of Manitoba will sign an accord in Milwaukee today to boost supply of renewable energy and biofuels, while increasing energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

For a region that banks so heavily on coal, the accord is a Midwestern milestone. Even coal-dependent Kansas and auto-city Michigan have signed on. Of course, in a region so rich in corn — now the main but controversial source of biofuels — governors have plenty of political good will from their constituents to focus on renewable energy.

The region joins the Northeast and West, now, with its own regional carbon cap-and-trade system for limiting greenhouse gas pollution, primarily carbon dioxide.

According to the nonprofit World Resources Institute, referenced in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Midwest’s accord now puts 48% of the nation's population under some form of regional climate compact. With almost half the country under state-imposed action, let’s hope Congress gets the message.

COMMENTS ()