Enlibra is a new term (from the Latin word for balance) created by the Western Governor's Association to describe their approach to environmental stewardship. The core principles of enlibra are:

• National Standards, Neighborhood Solutions: Assign Responsibilities at the Right Level

• Collaboration, Not Polarization: Use Collaborative Processes to Break Down Barriers and Find Solutions

• Reward Results, Not Programs: Move to a Performance-Based System

• Science For Facts, Process for Priorities: Separate Subjective Choices from Objective Data Gathering

• Markets Before Mandates: Pursue Economic Incentives Whenever Appropriate

• Change A Heart, Change A Nation: Environmental Understanding is Crucial

• Recognition of Benefits and Costs: Make Sure All Decisions Affecting Infrastructure, Development and Environment are Fully Informed

• Solutions Transcend Political Boundaries: Use Appropriate Geographic Boundaries for Environmental Problems

The term enlibra achieved national prominence when Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, who helped originate the phrase, was nominated by President Bush to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Leavitt's claim that the term represents the productive middle of the environmental debate seems borne out by the fire it is drawing from both the Right and Left.

External links

• Official enlibra site by the Western Governor's Association
• Mike Leavitt's description of enlibra
• Derivation and history of the term enlibra
• Conservative attack on enlibra
• Liberal attack on enlibra