Maine could do more on global warming

Study: Mixed progress on curbing emissions

Maine is a B student when it comes to fighting global warming, according to a study released by Environment Maine and the New England Climate Coalition.

The study, which measures progress made by New England states and eastern Candian provinces to reduce global warming pollution, gave Maine a B minus. Our state is tied with Massachusetts and Connecticut when it comes to reducing pollution to 1990 levels by 2020 and reducing emissions 75 to 85 percent by 2050.

Maine is falling behind other states by failing to implement more energy-efficient building codes, the analysis showed. Only Maine and five other states in America have yet to update their building codes, and 84 percent of homes built in Maine would not meet standards already in place in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The transportation sector remains the state’s weakest link in reducing global warming emissions. Environment Maine continues to advocate state action to ensure the continued operation and expansion of the Downeaster train; federal funding is slated to run out in 2009. In 2005 alone, the Downeaster reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 2,383 metric tons by taking cars off the road.

“If the state is serious about tackling global warming, our leaders must address transportation,” said Environment Maine’s Matthew Davis. “We need to invest in transit to cut pollution and boost our economic future. The success of the Downeaster train makes it clear that Mainers want transit options, and now it is up to our leaders to deliver.”

But Maine has also made advances in recent years. Last year, we celebrated when the state finalized regulations for a regional program to cut pollution from power plants, called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Five years in the making, the agreement will limit power plant global warming pollution and invest revenue in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Other New England states are moving forward with laws to cap global warming emissions from more than just power plants, which will meet the reductions scientists say are necessary to avoid the worst of global warming’s effects. We’re working to ensure our state follows suit.
 

The Downeaster cut global warming emissions by 2,383 metric tons in 2005.