Senator Coleman: A Ban on Carbon Dioxide Emission Limits

Last week Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman (R.), in a direct response to California legislation recently signed by Republican Governor Schwarzenegger reducing carbon dioxide emissions in California, proposed a new law blocking state and government agencies from limiting carbon dioxide emissions. His proposal would instead offer credits to the companies that voluntarily reduced emissions.

Under attack from environmental groups, Coleman's website defends the proposal, declaring "Our goal is to strengthen emission standards and any assertion to the contrary is false." The Minnesota Natural Legacy Campaign, a Minnesota group advocating for the protection of Minnesota wildlife and agriculture, released a poll showing that 62% of Minnesotans were in favor of "limiting the pollution that causes global warming." Though Coleman wants to frame the proposal as beneficial to the environment, he is clearly veiling the proposals protection of big business behind a claim to protect the environment, all while blatantly ignoring his constituents.