Lawmakers Look to Put Greenhouse Gasers in the Red
Golden State legislators looking to clear the air
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Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contaminate fresh air and trap heat in the atmosphere.
California regulators are considering a proposal to impose the nation's first statewide carbon fee on utilities, oil refineries and other polluting industries.
If approved Thursday by the California Air Resources Board, the measure would raise millions of dollars to help the state regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming.
The fee would target industries that are top sources of greenhouse gases. The typical oil refinery would pay about $1.3 million a year, while a cement plant would pay about $200,000 a year.
The measure has been championed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Industry groups say the proposal unfairly singles them out. But advocates such as the Sierra Club say it's better to charge polluting industries than make taxpayers provide the funds.
Copyright Associated Press
Posted Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 12:06 PM PST
