As public policy issues go, climate change is as thorny as they come. Congress, federal agencies, environmental groups, industries and state governments have wrangled for decades over ways and means to clean up pollution without crippling the economy.
But the battle for jurisdiction took a new turn last week, compliments of Senator George Voinovich (R-OH). It's a turn in the right direction.
Prior to the introduction of an ambitious climate bill by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Voinovich is floating an amendment that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency and states from regulating greenhouse gases.
Opponents say the Voinovich amendment would usher in one-size-fits-all climate change policy. Well? Yes. The proposal would eliminate the conflicting patchwork of state regulations and the EPA's overreaching regulatory authority in order to establish a single national program that works for all Americans.
Senator Voinovich is right on this one. Climate change is a global issue and a comprehensive, workable solution should come not from the states, and not from a federal agency, but from our elected representatives in Congress.
Brad Mayer resides in Columbus.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
