Utah ranks in middle in global warming efforts

An energy independence advocacy group ranks Utah as a middling No. 25 among the states and District of Columbia for its efforts to combat global warming and contribute to U.S. energy security. That is up from No. 27 two years ago, according to a report card issued Monday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. But that is relatively little upward movement considering that Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. did such things as order a four-day work week for state employees to save energy, and riled conservatives by signing on to the Western Climate Initiative pushed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that sets goals for reducing greenhouse emissions to ease global warming. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger's California finished No. 1 in the new rankings, followed by Oregon and Connecticut — and Idaho was listed as the most improved... [read full story]