THE DEMOCRATS’ takeover of Richmond promised to bring action on big problems Virginia Republicans had played down or ignored — such as climate change. Now, as the legislature approaches key deadlines, a group of lawmakers has teed up a major global warming bill: the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Introduced in December, the legislation came under immediate attack from left-wing activists who questioned its reliance on market-based — that is, cost-effective — mechanisms to cut carbon pollution. In fact, the bill is not perfect, but for the opposite reasons these critics suggest. It should rely more, not less, on market mechanisms. On the plus side, the bill commits the state to eliminating power plant greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. It would demand that utilities invest in efficiency programs, which reduce emissions with relatively little effort. The bill would embrace the Regional […]