by Leslie Wollack

The Administration proposed a new climate change program last week to accelerate the development of technologies needed to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, but not place any restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide, which are emitted by cars, power plants and other sources.  This action follows months of activity by local governments and states to adopt plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposal, released by the Department of Energy, would provide $3 billion for research into new technologies and sets goals of reducing emissions and capturing carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its own report on global warming last week as well, which disagreed with the approach offered by the Administration. The CBO, an arm of Congress, found that the most cost-effective global warming efforts would reduce carbon emissions by increasing the costs of emitting carbon.

Several members of Congress have been working on initiatives to institute a ?cap-and-trade? global warming plan that would set overall limits on emissions and allow the industry to trade the limited number of emission allowances.

Although several Congressional panels will hold hearings on the Administration proposal, no action will take place until a new Congress convenes next year.