The New York Times has compiled an interesting interactive map which shows carbon emissions state by state, also subdivided by type of emissions, which makes it clear that it’s difficult for all fifty states to agree on one way to cap emissions.

For example, California is in the top five polluters for the areas of industrial, transportation, commercial and residential pollution, but not for electric.  Meanwhile, Illinois is in the top five only for industrial.  So while Illinois may propose emissions standards for anything other than, say, coal or manufacturing, California would counter with standards only for power companies.  Meanwhile, Florida, which is only in the top five for electric and transportation pollution, would balk at California’s proposal.  This, of course, would upset Texas, which is in the top five for everything but residential pollutants

And the list goes on and on.  Obviously, some states aren’t in the top five of any of these categories, but you get the gist that there are tons of competing interests all over this tremendously wonderful country of ours that gets in the way of any real legislation sometimes.

You can takepart and take a look at the map and see for yourself how confusing this can all get.