Congressman Vic Snyder Talks Energy Conservation At UALR

State and federal law makers gathered at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Monday night to discuss this legislation that is expected to come before congress this upcoming session. This is part of a series of meetings taking place across the country during the next two weeks.

Students and staff gather at UALR Monday to learn more about something known as cap and trade; national legislation aimed at reducing emissions and pollution.

State Representative Kathy Webb, who co-chairs the Governor's Commission on Global Warming, along with Congressman Vic Snyder joined the discussion. Snyder will head back to Washington next week as congress kicks off its new session.

Snyder says, "I think it's very timely to have this discussion with a new President, a new congress, a new administration loaded with lots of energy right now I think it's a good time to talk about these energy issues."

Informative sessions like this one are happening across the country; educating citizens on the issues; urging them to contact their representatives.

The movement is all about stopping global warming. Assistant Professor Jacek Lubecki, who organized Monday's event, explains.

Lubecki says, "The legislation that would create the first ever legal system that would attempt to do something about global climate change in the United States. Before we had all kinds of talk abut never has ever been done in terms of concrete action."

State Representative Kathy Webb filed a package of energy conservation bills here at the state level in the most recent legislative session that just wrapped up this past week. Several of the bills passed; but the two biggies that she really wanted to pass failed. Something she calls very disappointing."

Webb says, "It's interesting because the state chamber and the utilities fought us every step of the way I believe and research backs what I'm saying energy efficiency creates jobs. Energy efficiency is good for economic development."

Webb and Representative Joan Cash of Jonesboro will spend the next two years improving on those two big bills that failed this legislative session. They hope to get them passed in the 2011 general assembly.

Congress is set to convene April 18th in Washington. Snyder tells Today's THV he needs to look at the proposal, which is still in draft form, more before deciding how he'll vote.