US States work on reducing greenhouse gas emission

The proposed legislation would institute an emissions cap-and-trade program for major power plants beginning in 2010. If enacted it would establish a price for carbon in utility transactions and move the U.S. toward emissions controls, although still short of full U.S. participation in the Kyoto Protocol. Kyoto may come into force as early as late January 2004, although without participation of the U.S. and Australia. Most of Europe did not ratify Kyoto until 2002, and as of August 2003 ratification by just one more European country - the Russian Federation- is needed for the Protocol to go into force.

Even though the U.S. probably will not be a part of this international treaty any time soon, many states have put forth plans for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that resemble Kyoto both in terms of the time frame and scope of reductions. Significant investments in renewable energy, tax credits for energy efficient technologies, top-down CO2 controls and the establishment of carbon trading schemes are some of the trademarks or recent state activities that mirror the nascent Kyoto Protocol. For those who accept the threat of climate change as a reality, it is imperative that the U.S., the source of 25% of all anthropogenic GHG emissions on Earth, shows leadership by taking immediate steps to reduce emissions contributing to global warming and climate change. Since 2001 many states have stepped into the vacuum left by executive branch and Congressional inaction in Washington. Most notably 10 northeastern states have recently taken strong actions to reduce emissions in their states and hold the federal government accountable for its failure to act sensibly to curb CO2 emissions from vehicles and power plants. Two states in particular, New York and Maine, are playing key leadership roles in addressing the climate issue.

New York
In April 2003 New York Governor George Pataki announced his interest in working together with 10 other states from Maine to Maryland "to develop a strategy that will help the region lead the nation in the effort to fight global climate change." Pataki's proposal entails developing a regional cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide, which would be similar to existing national cap-and-trade programs for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. With enough interest the regional CO2 cap-and-trade program will become operative in 2 years. After considering Pataki's proposal for 3 months, 9 out of the 10 governors contacted voiced affirmative interest in the plan. Gov. Robert Ehrlich of Maryland was the only governor to refrain from the regional initiative. Out of the 10 collaborating governors, 6 of them are Republicans: George E. Pataki (NY); Mitt Romney (MA); John Rowland (CT); Donald L. Carcieri (RI); Craig Benson (NH); and James Douglas (VT), as well as 4 Democratic governors: John Baldacci (ME); Edward G. Rendell (PA); James E. McGreevey (NJ); and Ruth Ann Minner (DE). The bold move is meant to have an impact on policy at the state level, but it is hard to imagine that the apparent commitment and cooperation between this fair mix of Republican and Democratic governors stretching a over a large, contiguous part of the U.S. will not have some impact in Congress

New York's commitment to reducing it's GHG emissions is already evidenced by the $90+ million currently being invested in clean energy projects incorporating clean coal technology, natural gas, fuel cells and renewable energy. In March 2003 the New York State Public Service Commission set the ambitious goal of making at least 25% of the electricity purchased in New York by 2013 generated from renewable energy sources. (New York State Public Service Commission)

Maine
Maine has long been a leader on the environment, especially when it comes to issues relating to air. The dialogue over climate change has been a subject for policy in Maine since at least 2000 when the Maine State Planning Office and the University of Maine at Orono produced the "State of Maine Climate Change Action Plan" outlining potential policy options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Exploring these options revealed that the state could save enough money through energy conservation improvements to purchase power from renewable sources thereby slashing GHG emissions with imperceptible net cost. The balance of energy conservation and renewable outlays will allow for half of all purchased power in Maine to be generated from renewable sources. Another practical option for Maine is stimulating the market for fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles with tax incentives.

In 2001 Maine Gov. Angus King signed an agreement between eastern Canadian premiers and other northeastern states to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010; to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; and in the long-term make 75-85% reductions below 2001 emission levels.

In early June of this year Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts filed suit against the EPA for its failure to regulate CO2 emissions. The attorneys general from the three states claim that CO2 poses a real enough threat to the environment and public health that it stipulates being controlled under the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the EPA is negligent for failing to enforce the law properly. If the states' suit is successful it will result in a reinterpretation of the CAA that requires the federal government to set mandatory controls on CO2 emissions. Current federal policy on curbing CO2 emissions is based solely on voluntary reductions from industry, despite President Bush's 2000 campaign pledge to control CO2 emissions from power plants.

Also this summer, Maine became the first U.S. state to pass a law that will reduce GHG emissions in order to help avert catastrophic climate change. The law is called "An Act To Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change" and calls for Maine to create a "climate change action plan" by July 2004 to reduce in-state carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and eventually by as much as 80 percent. Maine's 2001 agreement with eastern Canadian premiers and the work on previous climate action plans means that Maine is already well on the road to realizing these reductions.

What's to come
New York and Maine are not alone in their efforts to cut CO2 emissions, but these two states have stimulated a dialogue that reverberates across state and even national boundaries. From Alaska to Texas and downeast to Maine, many Americans are realizing that the costs of climate change may significantly exceed any costs that will be incurred by taking steps to reduce emissions now. In fact, if acted upon now, the climate question provides an opportunity to capitalize on the carbon market by conserving energy, expanding renewable energy, and capping and trading CO2. Parties to the Kyoto Protocol may not reap any direct financial benefits from steps being taken in states such as New York and Maine to reduce GHG emissions, but at least they can be assured that their commitment doesn't come in vain as the shift toward responsible climate stewardship is coming from the ground up in the U.S. Because the U.S. is contributing so disproportionately to global warming, the solution ultimately depends upon leadership in the U.S. While Maine and New York are certainly not the only states exemplifying such leadership, they are energizing the issue and mobilizing others to do the same.

Links

Links to 11 Northeastern States from Maine to Maryland

Connecticut, Governor John G. Rowland

Delaware, Governor Ruth Ann Minner

Maine, Governor John E. Baldacci

Maine State Planning Office

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Office of the Maine Attorney General, Steven Rowe

LD 845 (HP 622) An Act to Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change, Maine State Legislature signed into law 5/13/03

Maryland, Governor Robert L Ehrlich, Jr.

Massachusetts, Governor Mitt Romney

New Hampshire, Governor Craig Benson

New Jersey, Governor James E. McGreevey

New York, Governor George E. Pataki