Laboratories of progress: it's time to look past the blockage in Washington and fight for good energy policy at home.(THE ENVIRONMENT: DEATH AND REBIRTH)

IN THE ABSENCE OF FEDERAL PROGRESS, STATE AND local governments have emerged as key arenas for policies to address global warming. These policies include strategies to encourage the use of cleaner cars, renewable energy, high-performance buildings, and, most importantly, the proposal to cap carbon-dioxide emissions from utilities in the Northeast. State and local programs won't lower emissions to a sustainable level without federal and international action. But they are a start that can also help transform public opinion and awareness.

Local and regional government leaders ...