Sep 21, 11:20 AM EDT
Agreement close for multistate pollution reduction
plan
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A multistate plan is
nearing completion that would set limits on carbon
dioxide pollution from power plants.
The first-in-the-nation agreement, called the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, would freeze
carbon dioxide pollution at current levels through
2015, then require a 10 percent reduction by 2020.
Power generators would have to use cleaner fuels or
improve efficiency to stay within the caps, or pay
other power plants to make the reductions for them.
The plan includes Connecticut, Maine, New York,
Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Rhode Island and Vermont. State leaders are scheduled
to meet in Rhode Island on Sept. 28 and 29 to sign the
agreement.
"I'm very pleased that our states are taking the
lead on this critical national issue and that we are
on the verge of a plan that could be a national
model," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal. "The national effort hinges on grassroots
efforts like this one because that's where the
emissions are generated."
When the federal government rejected an
international treaty to restrict carbon dioxide
emissions from power plants, the northeastern
governors decided to create regional rules that would
put the states in step with Canada, Europe and other
parts of the world.
Discussions have been ongoing for two years and
have included state officials, energy producers,
environmentalists and consumer advocates.
Although a vote on the plan is only a week away,
negotiations are continuing that could reshape it.
A spokesman for Calpine Energy, which owns
Westbrook Energy and two other large Maine plants that
turn natural gas into electricity, said the company is
concerned it may not get any credit for operating what
are already clean and efficient plants.
John Flumerfelt said the company objects to a
provision that would allow the state to keep some of
the carbon dioxide allowances and sell them to the
power plants to raise money for energy-efficiency
programs or ratepayer rebates. That would just raise
electricity rates, he said.
Environmental advocates say they support auctioning
off the allowances, but they also are pushing to
tighten up parts of the plan that they say will delay
or weaken pollution restrictions.
If the agreement is signed as expected, each state
would adopt rules next year to begin implementation.
Gallagher said she will take the plan to the
Legislature for a full public review.
---
Information from: Portland Press
Herald,
http://www.pressherald.com
© 2005 The Associated Press. All
rights reserved.