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A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR MAINE 2004. A Report to the “Politics of Climate Change” seminar, Colby College Malcolm Burson, Office of Policy Services, Maine DEP. Greenhouse Gases. New England Governors’ / Eastern Canadian Premiers’ Action Plan Adopted 8/2001 by Governor King
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A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR MAINE 2004 A Report to the “Politics of Climate Change” seminar, Colby College Malcolm Burson, Office of Policy Services, Maine DEP April 11, 2005
Greenhouse Gases • New England Governors’ / Eastern Canadian Premiers’ Action Plan • Adopted 8/2001 by Governor King • Reaffirmed under Governor Baldacci • Reduce GHG emissions • 1990 levels by 2010 • 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 • In the long term, reduction sufficient to eliminate any dangerous threat to the climate. To accomplish this goal, reduction to 75% to 80% below 2003 levels may be required. April 11, 2005
Maine GHG Emissions Baseline and Target April 11, 2005
Maine LD 845: PL 2003 Chapter 237 • Sponsored by Representative Koffman - Bar Harbor • Signed 5/21/2003 by the Governor Baldacci • Emission Inventory for State owned facilities and funded programs • Voluntary Carbon emission reduction agreements • 50 Business and/or nonprofit organizations, by 1/1/2006 • New England greenhouse gas registry • Participate in a regional GHG registry, with 3rd-party verification • Currently a regional effort at NESCAUM April 11, 2005
Maine LD 845: PL 2003 Chapter 237 • Requirements (cont.) • Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory • Climate Action Plan • Department will adopt a plan by 7/1/2004 • Extension until 10/15/2004 • The action plan must address reduction in each sector in cost-effective ways and must allow sustainably managed forestry, agricultural and other natural resources activities April 11, 2005
GHG Action Plan Process • Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) • Convened by Gov. Baldacci in November, 2003 • Government agencies • Private interest groups • Non-profit advocacy groups • SAG convened to assist DEP • Recommend actions and strategies • Role is advisory only April 11, 2005
GHG Action Plan Process • Workgroups • Buildings, Facilities and Manufacturing • Agriculture and Forestry • Transportation and Land Use • Energy and Solid Waste • Education and Public Awareness • Facilitators • External Science/Economic Advisory Panel • Technical staff (DEP, CCAP and others) • Analyze GHG mitigation strategies and policies April 11, 2005
Recommended Options: Top 10 April 11, 2005
Projected Results if All Options Implemented April 11, 2005
Key Options: Electricity and Solid Waste • Regional GHG Cap and Trade (RGGI) • Renewable System Benefit Charge • Renewable Portfolio Standards • Biomass Generation • Landfill Gas Management April 11, 2005
Key Options: Energy Demand • Cluster of Energy Efficiency Measures • Many already underway, managed by PUC • Appliance and Building Standards • Residential Home Heating • Action in Manufacturing, Commercial, Institutional, Residential areas April 11, 2005
Key Options: Transportation and Land Use • Automobile Tailpipe (ZEV; Pavley) • Clean Diesel and Black Carbon • Fuel Standards • Lowering VMT, including measures to address sprawl, land use • State Fleets: legislation in current session April 11, 2005
Key Options: Forestry • Area of Greatest Innovation: Maine is first to figure this out • Sequestration of Carbon • Forestland Protection • Five Forest Management Options • Continuing Debate on the “Carbon Neutrality” Issue April 11, 2005
Key Options: Agriculture • Smaller Expected Gains than in Other Areas • Part of the Larger Picture, and Attractive to the Public • Would Support, for example, Organic and Local Farming April 11, 2005
Carbon Saved / Cost Number in ( ) is estimated $ per tonne of saved carbon April 11, 2005
Co-Benefits April 11, 2005
Co-Benefits cont’ April 11, 2005
Implementation April 11, 2005
Implementation cont’ April 11, 2005
Next Steps • Delivered by Governor to NRC 12/04 • Briefing Committees (NRC, UTE, ACF, Transportation) 2/05 • Request for committee members to advise on a regular basis • Filing testimony / information on 30+ current bills • No specific DEP bills this session, except LEV/ZEV major substantive April 11, 2005
Next Steps • SAG review, January 05 • Implementation sub-groups for major electricity, energy efficiency, forestry • DEP to convene additional groups for transportation (with DOT) • Education / Public Awareness Group • Continuing regional / international work with NEG/ ECP, The Climate Group April 11, 2005
Voluntary Agreements • Required by original legislation • 50 agreements needed by 1/06 • Program underway • Everything from small (churches, e.g.,) to large businesses and organizations April 11, 2005