I attended the Senate committee hearing on Global Warming and the Chesapeake Bay yesterday on Capital Hill. A distinguised set of panelists addressed Chairwoman Boxer, and Senators Warner, Inhofe, Cardin and Mikulski. Both Governors from Maryland and Virgina sat side by side, discussing the impacts of global warming on their respective states.

Governor O’Malley addressed solutions to this crisis affecting our beloved Chesapeake Bay. He was proud to state that in his short time as Governor, he has signed into law the Maryland Clean Cars bill, RGGI implementation and is overseeing the recommendations outlined by his Commission on Climate Change, slated to come out with a report in November. No mention of the Global Warming Solutions Act though, and whether he would support an “California AB 32” style bill this year. It is yet to be seen how aggressive Governor O’Malley intends to be on this issue, but I must say, he is making climate change HIS administration’s environmental issue. Read his testimony here.

Governor Kaine, on the other hand, spoke strongly about the impact of global warming on Virginia, especially its coastline, but had very little to discuss in terms of action. He mentioned his Energy Plan, with its modest goals, and touted his executive order to make VA government buildings more energy efficient. He even went as far to say that he strongly encourages the federal government to adopt a cap and trade program for carbon dioxide! I guess Governor Kaine would rather let the feds deal with the issue than take on the coal barons of Virginia. Many of the Senators congratulated Governor Kaine for his leadership on this issue. I think I might have laughed out loud when they said that. Frankly, until Governor Kaine takes some real concrete steps to address climate change in Virginia through opposing the Wise county coal plant, encouraging a mandatory and real renewable energy standard and supporting AGGRESSIVE targets for energy efficiency and conservation (oh yeah, and stops playing into Dominion’s hands), his strong words on global warming are just that…..words. Read his testimony and decide for yourself.