But if the voluntary program is actually saving companies so much money, why not just expand the voluntary program?

On Friday, the environmental group will go to Capitol Hill to advertise the results of its Climate Savers program, which was started in 1999, and where major corporations including Coca Cola and I.B.M. have pledged to reduce their emissions voluntarily.

By 2010, the participants in the program — 21 companies at the moment — will have reduced emissions by a total of 50 million tons. That’s equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of Switzerland.

“We started the program to make the point that businesses could reduce their emissions and still make money at a fast clip,” said Mr. Moss.

Balking points | Gristmill: The environmental news blog | Grist

On cap-and-trade, Evan Bayh follows Smokey Joe Barton's and Rupert Murdoch's agenda

At 50 mpg, the 2010 Toyota Prius is a game changer - Los Angeles Times

Now then, the U.S. Department of Energy budgetary request for fiscal 2010 is $65 billion, including nearly $40 billion from the National Economic Recovery Act. The 2010 Toyota Prius will probably come in around $23,000 when prices are announced later this spring. Since we've got the federal checkbook open, what if we took $46 billion and bought everybody Priuses? Would that help?

Why yes, yes it would.