Agreement close for multistate pollution reduction plan

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A multistate plan is nearing completion that would set limits on carbon dioxide pollution from power plants.

The first-in-the-nation agreement, called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, would freeze carbon dioxide pollution at current levels through 2015, then require a 10 percent reduction by 2020. Power generators would have to use cleaner fuels or improve efficiency to stay within the caps, or pay other power plants to make the reductions for them.

The plan includes Connecticut, Maine, New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont. State leaders are scheduled to meet in Rhode Island on Sept. 28 and 29 to sign the agreement.

"I'm very pleased that our states are taking the lead on this critical national issue and that we are on the verge of a plan that could be a national model," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. "The national effort hinges on grassroots efforts like this one because that's where the emissions are generated."

When the federal government rejected an international treaty to restrict carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, the northeastern governors decided to create regional rules that would put the states in step with Canada, Europe and other parts of the world.

Discussions have been ongoing for two years and have included state officials, energy producers, environmentalists and consumer advocates.

Although a vote on the plan is only a week away, negotiations are continuing that could reshape it.

A spokesman for Calpine Energy, which owns Westbrook Energy and two other large Maine plants that turn natural gas into electricity, said the company is concerned it may not get any credit for operating what are already clean and efficient plants.

John Flumerfelt said the company objects to a provision that would allow the state to keep some of the carbon dioxide allowances and sell them to the power plants to raise money for energy-efficiency programs or ratepayer rebates. That would just raise electricity rates, he said.

Environmental advocates say they support auctioning off the allowances, but they also are pushing to tighten up parts of the plan that they say will delay or weaken pollution restrictions.

If the agreement is signed as expected, each state would adopt rules next year to begin implementation. Gallagher said she will take the plan to the Legislature for a full public review.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com

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