Western initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions

"A coalition of West Coast states and Canadian provinces Tuesday released the most far-reaching plan yet for cutting the emissions of greenhouse gases that are warming the globe.

The Western Climate Initiative will create a market-based system that limits carbon dioxide releases and allows polluters to trade for the right to emit the gases.

The "cap-and-trade" plan is touted by elected officials and environmentalists as a means of reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels -- and give Washington a running start in development of clean, green energy..."