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Northeast Regional Climate Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Learn about the Northeast Regional Climate Action Plan and the Greenhouse Gas Initiative, implemented by several states in the Northeast region to address climate change. Explore the reasons why states are taking action and the history of collaboration. Discover the key components of the initiatives and the next steps for achieving sustainability and energy efficiency.

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Northeast Regional Climate Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Initiative

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  1. The NEG-ECP Climate Change Action Plan and the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Western Regional Air Partnership Information Sharing Meeting on Climate Change Santa Fe, NM – August 25-26, 2005 Ken Colburn Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) kcolburn@symbioticstrategies.com 617-784-6975

  2. Why Are the States Acting? • Defensively: • Sense of urgency; exposure to climate risks • Protecting existing economies (forests, tourism, etc.) • Offensively: • Learning curve; early adopters secure competitive advantage (e.g., BP, Dupont, UTC) • Aggressively to protect: • Public Health; Quality of Life • Significant relative impact • Prior success leading by example

  3. Long History Working Together • 1967 - New England Governors (NEG) formed NESCAUM to address air quality issues • 1985-87 – Many states adopted regs ahead of feds (acid rain; air toxics) – and kept robust economy • 1990 – Ozone Transport Commission (12 states, under Clean Air Act Amendments) • Not just history… • Not alone in this • Cross-pollination; better ideas & vetting • Greater punch; strength in numbers • Competitive advantage; learning curve

  4. • 1990 GHG levels by 2010 • 10% below 1990 by 2020 • 75-85% ultimately • 50% by 2003 • “Virtual elimination” • 50% additional reduction nationally • Reaffirmed post-2002

  5. Regional Plan, Individual Action… • States moved forward with plans to implement • CT GHG plan, RPS, LEV, appliances, CHP • MA 4-P regulations, RPS • NH 4-P legislation, registry • ME GHG legislation, plan • RI plan • NJ consent decree & 20% initiative • NY LEV, plan, NYSERDA energy efforts • Even WV mandatory GHG reporting • Pacific states joining in: OR,CA,WA

  6. Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) • Initiated – April 2003 letter from Governor Pataki (R-NY) to 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states • Purpose – Invitation to develop a regional “Cap-and-Trade” system for GHGs • Process– Start with power sector and CO2; then possibly expand to other sectors, GHGs, & offsets • Timeline– TargetedApril 2005

  7. RGGI (continued…) • Nine states chose to participate • CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT • World’s 3rd largest economy • 14% US GHG Emissions • 3.4% of Global GHG ( Germany) • Others observing:PA, MD, DC, Provinces • Staff Working Group created, plan developed, endorsed by energy & environmental chiefs

  8. Key RGGI Components The Groundwork The Model Rule Post- Model Rule Data Assembly Legislation and/or Rulemaking IPM Modeling REMI Modeling and Benefits Analysis Memorandum of Understanding Regional Organization Stakeholder Process

  9. The RGGI Model Rule Applicability: 25 MW+ Regional Emissions Cap State Allowance Budgets New Source Allowance “Pool” Opt-In Provision Compliance Period Banking Early Action Credits Offset Provisions Penalties & Enforcement Monitoring & Reporting

  10. The RGGI MOU Commit to Initiate Rulemaking Establish Regional Body State-by-State Allocations of Allowances to Sources Emissions & Allowance Tracking/Regional Registry Future Offset Design Link with other Trading Systems Method for Accounting for Additional States, or Subtracting States that Withdraw from RGGI Recommendations on Collateral Energy Policies

  11. Prospective International Linkages • Amendment to EU Trading Directive • “1a. Prior to third countries listed in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol ratifying the Protocol, agreements may be concluded with regional authorities in those countries to provide for the mutual recognitionof allowances between the Community scheme and mandatory greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes capping absolute emissions established by those authorities.” • Amend. 8, Article 25, adopted by Envir. Comm. 3/16/04 • Australian states starting a RGGI-like effort • Link with Canada in registry/trading?

  12. RGGI Next Steps • Better to take a bit longer & get it right… • NY Times 8-24-05 Story • “Generally accurate, but…” • 2009-2015: Stabilize at 2000-2004 levels • 2016-2020: reduce 10% lower • Many issues remain: • Leakage, allowance allocations, offsets (type & amount), consumer allocations/EE, etc. • Stakeholder reaction & revision? • Legislative approval / regulatory processes • Litigation?

  13. Thank you for your time and attention!

  14. Sustainability Energy Efficiency & Renewables Path (MORE jobs, reliable, secure, clean, and exportable) Competitive Advantage Lost to Delay Energy Intensity Path (LESS jobs, reliable, secure, clean, and exportable) Now Later Old or New Energy Path? Higher ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY Lower TIME

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