The important regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI) may be weakening a bit, if Governor Paterson's comment this week is any indication.  This could make it tougher for the United States to limit the emissions that cause global warming.

Recently, New York began to draft an executive order that would allow New York to loosen its enforcement of the ten-state greenhouse gas initiative. 

When asked this week if the draft executive order could affect New York's participation in the agreement, Paterson said, "Well, it certainly might. What we are trying to avoid is what we have felt at times were institutional regulations that are inflexible," reported The New York Times.

One concern is that Pennsylvania, the only state in the Northeast region to not join the RGGI, could draw away some business from New York.   But environmentalists believe any impact would be minimal, compared to the positive impact on New York's economy and environment as a result of the RGGI