After successfully securing a federal stimulus package with billions of dollars for state relief, governors now have their sights set on exerting influence in crafting new energy and transportation polices with the Obama administration and Congress.
“States have been leading the way on clean energy and climate change, and we are thrilled to now have a willing partner in the White House to promote these policies on a national stage,” California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said in a statement following a private meeting on Feb. 21 with 11 other governors and President Obama's top energy and environment cabinet officials to discuss clean energy and climate change issues.
Already, 23 states have joined regional agreements to lower carbon dioxide pollution. Seven states — Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington — have imposed caps for carbon dioxide released within their own borders.
Read the full report Governors Look to Shape Energy, Transportation on Stateline.org.