N.C. Senate Passes Global Warming Bill

In a victory for environmental advocates, the North Carolina Senate yesterday passed legislation creating a 30-member state commission to address global climate change. It was a compromise measure: The original version of the bill called on the group to recommend a greenhouse gas pollutant reduction goal while the approved version says only that it "may recommend" such a goal. But the legislation will force North Carolina to begin dealing seriously with climate change, as the commission must issue a report on the problem to state lawmakers before the start of the 2007 legislative session.

Noting global warming's potentially devastating effects on North Carolina's coast, bill sponsor Sen. Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin) said it would be "less than responsible" for the General Assembly to do nothing. But Sen. Andrew Brock (R-Davie) argued that the commission would be a waste of taxpayers' money since North Carolina can't solve the problem alone. Speaking in favor of the measure were Sens. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth), Larry Shaw (D-Cumberland) and Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight (D-Dare).

The bill passed on second reading with only six nay votes: Sens. Brock, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), Don East (R-Surry), Eddie Goodall (R-Union), Jim Jacumin (R-Burke) and Hugh Webster (R-Alamance). It also passed third reading on a voice vote and now goes to the House, where companion legislation is being considered by the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee.

"Who would have thought even just a year ago that such an incredible vote and strong signal on the need for global warming action could have been possible in North Carolina," Marjorie Mulhall, climate coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Environmental Defense, wrote in an e-mail to the N.C. Climate Action and Legislation listserv. "Today's milestone is certainly the product of the collective, numerous efforts by many to elevate global warming awareness across the state."