Paging Dr. Incentive, Dr. Perverse Incentive...

California lawmakers gave their state's economy a kick, and thought they saw it twitch a little out of the corner of their eye. So they've decided to empty another magazine into it, just to be sure.

California regulators Thursday voted to cap the greenhouse gas emissions of the state's major industries and establish the nation's first broad-based carbon trading program.

The move marks another bellwether moment for a state that has led in environmental policy, coming as national climate legislation to regulate greenhouse gases and curb climate change has stalled in Congress.

"This is an historic venture," said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, as the panel voted 9 to 1 to approve some 3,000 pages of regulations and supporting documents, crafted over three years of intense negotiations with businesses and public interest groups.

Given the state's fragile economy, Nichols said, "most political people said we should do as little as possible as slowly as possible." Instead, she said, "we are being cautious and careful, but in the context of a very bold effort."

Sheesh. Not even Pelosi is this divorced from reality. Say hello to all those refugee businesses, Nevada!

H/T to KurtP.