ENVIRONMENT: 'Blue' States Tackling Energy On Their Own

Now, for you supporters of states' rights (which in theory I also support) here is your example of the problem inherent in DE-regulation AND states' rights:

'Blue' States Tackling Energy On Their Own: Democratic-leaning states increasingly are regulating energy use and emissions, working around a GOP-controlled federal government that state officials say has not done enough.

The states are creating energy efficiency requirements for light bulbs and household appliances, limiting power plant and automobile output linked to global warming, and requiring the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar.

Leading the effort are "blue" states that voted Democratic in the 2004 presidential election. Even some of those states that have Republican governors, such as California and Connecticut, are making their own rules.

Oh yes..sounds better than good--sounds great--the state stepping in to do what's best for the state's citizenry.

And then there's this:

Building a Better Light Bulb -- at a Cost: For now, Osram Sylvania Inc. can ship its bulbs to all 50 states. But in 2007, the lighting giant will face a manufacturing and distribution headache: It will be forced to stop sending two types of common household flood lights to stores in Oregon and Washington state because the bulbs do not meet new state energy-efficiency requirements.

Even though the move affects only a couple of bulbs that sell for less than $6, it represents a trend: More states are setting their own energy policies for residential and commercial appliances in an effort to reduce electricity demand and power plant pollution.

Huh.

I remember a conversation I had with a very bright friend of mine, a Libertarian, about the same issue. In my example of the problem to him, I described pollution drift i.e. mercury from electric facilities killing lakes in adjacent downwind states. I was surprised--really surprised-- when I realized he had not considered that possibility before. Such fishbowl reasoning permeates too many individuals' opinions about issues regarding all aspects of the environment and is glaringly obvious in typical myopic views of truly important issues like global warming.