AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation Monday that includes Maine in the nation’s first regional effort to control greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system.
Maine joins other states that have already joined the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is intended to reduce pollution from northeastern power plants by 10 percent over a decade through 2018.
The law signed by Baldacci requires Maine’s six largest power plants to pay for the right to release carbon dioxide, the heat-trapping gas most blamed for global warming.
Baldacci said industries that will be affected by the law worked collaboratively with environmentalists and state regulatory officials to write the complex legislation. Baldacci said the regional effort will trigger green energy development, which will be benefit the economy.
“Reducing global warming pollution protects our natural treasures for future generations, and it protects our children’s future while placing Maine at the forefront of new economic opportunities,” Baldacci said.
“It is critical for Maine to act on greenhouse gas emissions because so much of the state’s economy depends on our spectacular natural resources, our forests, fisheries, farms. Even the seasons on which the recreation and tourism economy depend throughout the year are threatened by global warming,” he governor added.
Baldacci said Monday’s action is Maine’s latest step in addressing greenhouse gases. Maine has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 8 percent since 2002 and is the first state government in the nation to buy 100 percent renewable power for state buildings, he said.
The RGGI bill establishes a new energy conservation board and directs up to $25 million in new energy conservation investments, said Michael Stoddard, deputy director of Environment Northeast, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports RGGI.
Other RGGI states include Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Earlier this year, governors from several western states agreed to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gases in their region.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.