Seven Western States Announce Climate Plan, But Not WY LARAMIE, WY (wpr) - Seven Western states and four Canadian provinces released plans Tuesday for the nation's most comprehensive plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Western Climate Initiative would set up a "cap and trade" program that requires polluters to have permits for emitting carbon dioxide. The Initiative's goal is that by the year 2020, emissions levels in the West will be below what they were in 2005.

Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington are members of the Initiative. Wyoming sends an observer to their meetings, but is not a member. Governor Dave Freudenthal says he's skeptical of the effectiveness of a regional approach to climate change. He thinks the federal government will have to act for any real improvements to be made. © Copyright 2009, wpr