Seattle hosts EPA climate change hearing

It's not every day that the Environmental Protection Agency comes to town and asks people about climate change and what should be done about it.

But it happened Thursday in Seattle - one of only two hearings held nationwide on greenhouse gases, global warming and pollution.

And people came by the busloads to sound off on what they want the feds to do to help save the earth.

From the rally outside the hearing to the testimony inside - their stories are all different, but their message is the same - greenhouse gases are real, so do something about it.

"The science alone won't save us; we have to have the courage and the will to act," says Leeanne Beres of the Earth Ministry.

Gov. Chris Gregoire told EPA officials that the cost of doing nothing is far too high.

She said that climate change already has its claws in our state. One example, she says, is the winter snowpack in the Cascades, which is projected to shrink by 20 percent because of climate change, and that means less water.

She also blamed climate change for the our extreme weather and said that half of the state's carbon footprint comes from vehicle emissions.

"I think tomorrow is too late - today is possibly too late, but we're not gonna give up," Gregoire said.

With that the governor signed an executive order to reduce greenhouse gases. She says the order includes every part of a climate change bill that failed to pass during the last legislative session.

It calls for emission reductions from a coal-fired power plant, fuel alternatives, new electric transit options, water supply protection and more green collar jobs.

Thirty state governors, including Gregoire, also signed and sent a letter to Congress calling for a comprehensive energy strategy. The letter asks Congress to pass legislation that invests in clean and efficient energy, and sets caps on greenhouse gases.

Those who weren't able to testify at Thureday's hearing made sure the EPA hears their voices, too. They want the EPA to limit greenhouse emissions under the Clean Air Act and for the first time, they sense change is coming.

"Change is in the air today, and it feels very good," says Gregg Small, executive director of Climate Solutions.

The governor's executive order starts that change. Now the next move is up to the feds.