Maine Sets Global Warming Reduction Goals
Maine has become the first state in the nation to enact a law setting goals for the reduction of global warming emissions.
The legislation requires Maine to develop a climate change action plan to reduce carbon dioxide to 1990 levels by 2010, 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and by as much as 75 to 80 percent over the long term, as agreed to by the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
“I am proud that Maine leads the nation in setting responsible climate change goals,” said Baldacci. “Maine’s law paves the way for others to join us in a responsible approach to address the risks of global warming.”
While the federal government has deleted climate change information from EPA reports, Maine is taking action, said Sue Jones of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the group that spearheaded the campaign to pass this law.
“The law will help Maine do its part to help reduce the threat of climate change through energy efficiency, clean renewable energy and other actions that save money and protect the environment,” Jones said.
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, forms when oil, coal, and gas are burned. It creates a heat trapping blanket that is raising temperatures around the globe.
“My legislative colleagues recognize the impact climate change will have on Maine’s economy, environment, and quality of life,” said Representative Ted Koffman of Bar Harbor, the lead sponsor of the bill.
“The challenges posed by global warming will be especially felt by future generations, Koffman said. The breakthrough legislation signed today will bring together private and public interests to collaboratively develop a cost effective plan to reduce global warming while saving energy in the process.”
Maine joins other eastern states that are tackling global warming issues. In 1999, New Jersey established a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2005 and issued an action plan in December 1999.
In December 2001, New Hampshire issued a menu of policy options to achieve the goals established by the New England Governors-Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Action Plan. The state still needs to develop a plan with specific reductions from state level or regional level policies, and a concrete timeline.
Massachusetts is drafting a climate action plan, designed to meet or exceed the regional goals established by the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
In July 2002, Rhode Island published a Climate Action Plan designed to meet the greenhouse gas emission targets of the New England Governors-Eastern Canadian Premiers agreement.
In August 2002, the governor of Vermont issued an executive order establishing a goal of reducing that state’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 percent over the next decade, consistent with the regional goals.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.