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Log inN.H. joins greenhouse gas plan
N.H. joins greenhouse gas plan
by Outspoken on Thu May 22, 2008 5:18 am
N.H. joins greenhouse gas plan
The regional effort, which includes Maine, aims to cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
The Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire is poised to become the 10th state to participate in a regional effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The House voted Wednesday to send Gov. John Lynch legislation to implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative known as RGGI, but to revisit it if Congress enacts a federal program. The House next considers changes made to the proposal, especially on how much money would go into a fund to promote energy efficiency.
The bill adds New Hampshire to Maine and the other New England states, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland in a market-based, "cap and trade" program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the region's power plants.
Lynch believes the initiative will help New Hampshire's environment and economy.
The governors of the 10 states have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to the initiative. It is a regional plan, but each state must adopt its own laws and regulations. States in other regions are considering similar plans.
Under RGGI, a regional carbon dioxide emissions cap would be put in place for large fossil fuel-fired power plants beginning in 2009. Allowances would be issued equal to the total cap and apportioned to the participating states. Utilities would have to buy enough allowances within three years to cover their emissions. Since the number of allowances is limited by the regional cap, overall emissions are expected to be reduced.
The money utilities pay for the allowances would go into a state-regulated fund to improve energy efficiency. Money from the sale of allowances above a certain threshold would go back to electric ratepayers.
Critics said RGGI unfairly shifts costs onto ratepayers, especially businesses. Businesses wanted a lower threshold than either the House or Senate propose, while environmental groups wanted a high threshold to build a bigger fund.
The House proposed an initial threshold of $12 per ton while the Senate set its 2009 mark at $6 per ton. The House voted to accept the Senate's threshold. Business groups had wanted the mark set at $2 per ton. The threshold rises over time in both versions to 2015. After 2015, all proceeds go into the fund.
New Hampshire's cap would be 8.6 million tons per year out of 188 million tons emitted by the 10 states. Affected power plants in New Hampshire would be: Schiller Station in Portsmouth, Newington Station and Newington Energy LLC, both in Newington, Merrimack Station in Bow, and Granite Ridge in Londonderry.
Other types of allowances also are part of the plan. For example, capturing methane gas at a landfill also reduces carbon emissions. Also under consideration is using forestry management to reduce carbon emissions through techniques as simple as planting trees.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=189225&ac=PHnws
The regional effort, which includes Maine, aims to cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
The Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire is poised to become the 10th state to participate in a regional effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The House voted Wednesday to send Gov. John Lynch legislation to implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative known as RGGI, but to revisit it if Congress enacts a federal program. The House next considers changes made to the proposal, especially on how much money would go into a fund to promote energy efficiency.
The bill adds New Hampshire to Maine and the other New England states, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland in a market-based, "cap and trade" program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the region's power plants.
Lynch believes the initiative will help New Hampshire's environment and economy.
The governors of the 10 states have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to the initiative. It is a regional plan, but each state must adopt its own laws and regulations. States in other regions are considering similar plans.
Under RGGI, a regional carbon dioxide emissions cap would be put in place for large fossil fuel-fired power plants beginning in 2009. Allowances would be issued equal to the total cap and apportioned to the participating states. Utilities would have to buy enough allowances within three years to cover their emissions. Since the number of allowances is limited by the regional cap, overall emissions are expected to be reduced.
The money utilities pay for the allowances would go into a state-regulated fund to improve energy efficiency. Money from the sale of allowances above a certain threshold would go back to electric ratepayers.
Critics said RGGI unfairly shifts costs onto ratepayers, especially businesses. Businesses wanted a lower threshold than either the House or Senate propose, while environmental groups wanted a high threshold to build a bigger fund.
The House proposed an initial threshold of $12 per ton while the Senate set its 2009 mark at $6 per ton. The House voted to accept the Senate's threshold. Business groups had wanted the mark set at $2 per ton. The threshold rises over time in both versions to 2015. After 2015, all proceeds go into the fund.
New Hampshire's cap would be 8.6 million tons per year out of 188 million tons emitted by the 10 states. Affected power plants in New Hampshire would be: Schiller Station in Portsmouth, Newington Station and Newington Energy LLC, both in Newington, Merrimack Station in Bow, and Granite Ridge in Londonderry.
Other types of allowances also are part of the plan. For example, capturing methane gas at a landfill also reduces carbon emissions. Also under consideration is using forestry management to reduce carbon emissions through techniques as simple as planting trees.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=189225&ac=PHnws
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'."
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)
Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)
