President Bush last week announced a new national greenhouse emissions goal - to stop the growth of overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and to encourage the electric power industry to begin reducing its greenhouse gas emissions even earlier. According to the White House, the new goal is achievable because of recent improvements in energy technologies and energy legislation requirements for more fuel-efficient vehicles, energy-efficient appliances and other products. The announcement marks the first time President Bush has proffered a timetable for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, although he is still resistant to more significant emission reductions than those contained in his proposal.

The leading greenhouse gas emissions bill in Congress - the Lieberman-Warner bill - would mandate a 70 percent reduction in current emission levels by 2050 and a 20 percent reduction by 2020. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill in June.

The President's proposal was not well received by Democrats in Congress. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (DD-CA) said, "With just nine months left in his term, the White House has already made clear that the President's announcement today will not reverse his record on global warming before he leaves office." Speaker Pelosi added that President Bush has been "obstructing efforts by states, such as California, to take tough action against global warming" and blocking congressional efforts to enact cap-and-trade greenhouse gas legislation.

The President's plan was also panned by Senate Democrats. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said the Administration's plan to stand by as "greenhouse gas emissions reach dangerous levels and threaten America and the world is worse than doing nothing - it is the height of irresponsibility." Her remarks were echoed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) who said, "Sadly, there isn't any initiative in the initiative. Congress and the states are doing far more to address this problem than this administration ever will."