Rocky Praises Members of Western Regional Climate Action Initiative

None by Lara Jones

Wonders Why Utah Isn't Among Participating States

(KCPW News) News today that governors of five western states have signed a pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a glass half-full development for Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. While he applauds the chief executives of California, Arizona, Washington, New Mexico and Oregon for their Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, he bemoans the fact that Utah is not on board:

"It saddens me that Utah just keeps falling further and further behind," says the mayor, "it seems like we're headed in absolutely the wrong direction."

Speaking on today's edition of KCPW's Midday Metro, Anderson noted that governors of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are also working on a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Regionally, Utah, he says, seems to be surrounded by states taking the lead on environmental issues:

"The governors of California, Arizona, Washington, New Mexico and Oregon - it seems like almost we're surrounded by these states where governors have now agreed to set a target to lower greenhouse gases, and once again Utah is not among them. We will, I think, always, without better leadership, be trailing on these immensely important issues."

To hear a longer conversation on issues of sustainability with Mayor Anderson, download today's Midday Metro podcast.

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