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In his current State of the Union address, President Bush declared that the United States is"addicted to oil." Lots of men and women believed that signaled a new push by the Bush administration to address the concerns of how we're going to keep the lights on and the cars rolling in the 21st century....

Power usage has turn out to be THE hot situation. As the price for gas and property heating oil climb into the statosphere, lots of folks are praying for relief. Will the government provide that relief?

In his current State of the Union address, President Bush declared that the United States is"addicted to oil." Lots of men and women believed that signaled a new push by the Bush administration to address the concerns of how we're going to preserve the lights on and the vehicles rolling in the 21st century. Unfortuantely, these hopes largely fizzled following the speech when no new initiative or applications had been actually put into motion.

Many state lawmakers, impatient with the federal government's slow to non-existent response to our "addiction" to oil, have begun to take issues into their personal hands.

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State lawmakers, many from so-named Democratic "blue" states, have began passing regulations for energy plant and auto emissions. They are also requiring some energy to be designed by renewable techniques such as wind and solar. Energy efficiency requirements for household appliances are also being discussed.

So far, the federal government has been content to let the state legislatures choose up the slack on environmental concerns. "I never see something incorrect with the states becoming involved," commented Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), who is at present chairman of the federal Energy and Natural Sources Committee.

While some argue that state regulations will not have an impact nationally on greenhouse gas emissions, other people say that if the needs are enacted in enough states there will be a considerable impact. And is appears like states ARE obtaining an effect, even if global warming hasn't come to a screeching halt. A number of companies have adopted new nationwide regulations to keep away from having to customize goods for each and every state.

"If we can not get the federal government to act, then we have to take action in any way we can," said Gina McCarthy, the commissioner of the Division of Environmental Protection in Connecticut.

Let's just hope all this boils down to greater rates for buyers.