New Jersey´s acting Gov. Richard J. Codey took action Oct. 18 to classify carbon dioxide as an air contaminant, paving the way for the state to participate in a greenhouse gas reduction program.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative seeks to stabilize and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, which most scientists agree contributes to global warming.

"As a coastal state, New Jersey is especially vulnerable to climate change," Codey said. "In the absence of federal action, it is critical that New Jersey be a leader in the fight to reverse the effects of global warming."

Nine Northeast states are participating in the initiative: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The states plan to introduce a cap-and-trade program requiring electric power generators in the participating states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Critics of carbon dioxide caps argue they could result in higher energy prices and hurt the business community.