Back and proud

Massachusetts rejoins the NE climate pact

Posted by Erik Hoffner (Guest Contributor) at 4:02 PM on 18 Jan 2007

Whether Mass. is the most liberal state in the union is open for discussion. But I can tell you that ex-Governor Mitt Romney really pissed a lot of us folks off two years ago when he pulled the state out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first multi-state program to reduce carbon emissions. But as of today our new guv has us back on track -- it feels good to be moving in the right direction again!

Ace grassroots group Mass. Climate Action Network has been pushing for Governor Patrick to also signal his support for selling 100% of the program's pollution permits to electricity generators (probably through an auction), with the proceeds invested in energy efficiency and other consumer benefits. This wish seems to have come true, too.

Good show for an ex-Texaco man! Today's signing was one of Gov Patrick's campaign promises; another is improving the state's flagging economy with growth of the renewable energy sector. Keen to see where this goes ...

Sincerely,
Thrilled

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Auction it is! Great news!

Patrick signs regional greenhouse gas initiative
By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press Writer | January 18, 2007

BOSTON --Gov. Deval Patrick, making good on a campaign pledge, signed an agreement Thursday committing Massachusetts to the nation's first multistate program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Patrick also announced a new program intended to create energy savings for households and industry by auctioning off so-called "emission allowances" that electricity generators will need for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit under the pact.

...

The main goal of the bipartisan RGGI is to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. As part of the program, the states are set to begin charging power plants fees for carbon dioxide emissions beginning in 2009.

As part of the agreement, states are given "allowances" for emissions. Electricity generators like power plants will need the allowances for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit. Each state has the discretion to distribute the allowances however it wants.

Patrick said Massachusetts will auction off all of the allowances and use the money -- estimated at between $25 million to $125 million annually -- to create a new program to encourage energy savings.

The money would go to pay for energy efficiency, demand reduction, renewable energy programs, and combined heat and power projects, which use what is normally wasted heat from power generation for efficient heating.

The funds will also be used to manage peak demand for electricity, lowering electric bills for consumers, Patrick said. Customers will have incentives to use technologies like automatic lighting and air conditioning controls that can help minimize peak-time usage.

...

The 5% Project

by JMG at 6:21 PM on 18 Jan 2007

Where it goes

Glad to hear the new guv has brought us back onboard. As to where it goes w/alt. energy i assume it goes right into Nantucket Sound w/Cape Wind: the Right project in the WRONG place!

by ed abbey at 5:42 AM on 23 Jan 2007

The wrong place

Yeah, I guess the wind should have known better than to blow in Senator Kennedy's view.

I'm so disappointed in him, really. I guess I'm naive, but I thought he was better than that.

by willa at 6:35 AM on 23 Jan 2007

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