Legislature Drags Feet on Global Warming Bill

Although an overwhelming majority of state lawmakers voted for it, legislation creating a commission to address the global warming problem in North Carolina is at risk of failing at the General Assembly.

The state House and Senate have already approved Senate Bill 1134 - the House by a vote of 78 to 29, and the Senate by 44 to 6. But there are minor differences between the two chambers' versions, and the conference committee assigned the task of resolving those differences has not yet done so.

Meanwhile, the current legislative session is drawing to a close. If lawmakers fail to act soon, the measure may not become law this session - and the state will remain woefully unprepared to deal with what scientists warn is a dramatically worsening climate problem.

Just how unprepared is North Carolina? A survey (PDF) conducted earlier this year by the N.C. Waste Awareness & Reduction Network found that only two state agencies out of more than 30 examined are taking action to address global warming.

The state chapter of Environmental Defense, which played a key role in pushing the legislation as far as it's gotten, is asking concerned citizens to contact their representatives and urge them to ensure the bill becomes law. For details on what to do, click here.