A report by the Government Accountability Office has revealed that the Bush Administration’s aggressive program of politely suggesting corporations upgrade their factories to reduce greenhouse gases has failed to deliver tangible results.

The 51-page report, which was requested by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), highlights shortcomings in two projects aimed at encouraging the private sector to cut emissions linked to global warming.

One factor affecting its success rate, according to the report, may be Bush’s policy of smirking and winking suggestively while encouraging emissions cuts. As always, the Bush Administration has focused the majority of its research and analysis on coming up with the best-sounding names to tout to the press: The Environmental Protection Agency sponsors “Climate Leaders,” while the Energy Department oversees the dramatically capitalized “Climate VISION.” Early suggestion “Corporate Handjob” was quickly discarded as too appropriate.

GAO Report Faults Voluntary Programs To Cut Air Pollution (WaPo)