Massachusetts Joins Global Warming Pact: Plan Will Deliver 100 Percent of Profits from Pollution Permit Auction Back to the Consumer

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Colin Durrant, CLF Director of Communications
(617) 850-1722

Boston, MA (Jan. 18, 2007) Massachusetts today joined a regional pact negotiated by northeast governors to reduce global warming pollution from power plants in the region. The Conservation Law Foundation, a New England environmental group, hailed the decision as a “historic and significant step forward in the state’s fight to curb global warming.”

The so-called Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, would use a market-based “cap-and-trade” system to cap emissions in 2009 and require reduction targets to be met by 2015. In signing the memorandum of understanding, Governor Deval Patrick also confirmed he would require that 100 percent of the profit from the RGGI-based auction of pollution “allowances” be returned to customers through investments in energy efficiency measures or consumer rebates to lower overall energy bills. The 100 percent provision – also supported by New York and Vermont – was requested by CLF and other environmental groups.

“The only way to curb global warming is through bold, decisive action and today Governor Patrick delivered just that by joining RGGI and going a step further to strengthen our commitment,” said CLF president Phil Warburg. “Investing 100 percent of the auction proceeds in programs like energy efficiency delivers much-needed savings to consumers, and creates a real incentive for polluters to clean up their act.”

To date, nine governors have committed to adopting the program, which would include Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire , Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California and Delaware. Rhode Island is the only state in New England that has not signed the pact.

Warburg continued: “We look forward to working with the Administration to reduce emissions through innovative strategies like increased energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies, like wind and solar power.”

The Conservation Law Foundation works to solve the environmental problems that threaten the people, natural resources and communities of New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to design and implement strategies that conserve natural resources, protect public health, and promote vital communities in our region. Founded in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. It has offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Concord, New Hampshire; Providence, Rhode Island; Montpelier, Vermont; and Brunswick, Maine.