What's new
Gov. Baldacci signed an agreement last year to join with other Northeast states to reduce global warming pollution from power plants in the region 10 percent by 2019. Now, the Legislature needs to approve the agreement and finalize the details of the program, called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). One of the most important decisions the Legislature will make is whether all of the money generated by the program is used for consumer benefits such as energy efficiency programs or subsidizes power plants for being allowed to emit global warming pollution.
How you can help
Send an e-mail the Board of Environmental Protection in support of the rules to implement the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Brief summary
Power plants generate the second largest source of global warming pollution in Maine and are the largest source of global warming pollution in the country. Every time we flip a switch in Maine, over 60 percent of our power comes from power plants burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Increased emissions at power plants in Maine caused half of Maine's 77 percent boom in global warming pollution over the past 40 years.
Dirty power plants throughout the region also contribute to smoggy air days in the summer, haze on our horizon, and mercury contamination in our fish and wildlife.
Last year, Gov. Baldacci signed an historic agreement with other Northeast states to tackle power plant pollution. This regional program, called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), would reduce global warming pollution from power plants 10 percent by 2019. Maine's action, in coordination with the other Northeast states, will create a model that will help force the hand of the federal government to take action on a national level. Plus, scientists agree that now is the time to take action to slow and reverse global warming.
Maine has taken a number of steps to cut global warming pollution, like setting global warming tailpipe standards and promoting renewable energy. Now, cutting power plants' contribution is the next step.
