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Enacted Climate Change Legislation Requiring Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reductions

July 24, 2007

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California A.B. 32 (Enacted, September 2006). Effective Jan. 2008.

• Caps California’s greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 % below by 2050.
• First mandatory, enforceable emissions cap program.
• Requires statewide greenhouse gas emissions reporting and monitoring to enforce compliance. Penalties for non-compliance.
• Authorizes the state air quality board to adopt market-based compliance mechanisms including cap-and-trade.

Hawaii H.B. 226 (Enacted, June 2007)

• Must reach 1990 CO2 emissions levels by 2020.
• Requires reporting and verification of statewide greenhouse gas emissions to monitor and enforce compliance.
• Greenhouse gas emissions reduction task force will develop plan and regulatory scheme

Minnesota SB 145    (Enacted, May 2007)  Next Generation Energy Act

• Establishes statewide GHG reduction goals of 15 percent by 2015, 30 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050 (from 2005 levels).
• Sets mandatory annual goals and a special commission to enforce rules.  Imposes Steep penalties for non-compliance.
• Legislature must take action within one year of commission’s greenhouse gas reduction report.  Otherwise a moratorium would prevent utilities from signing new contracts for coal or imported coal-fired electricity, along with new construction of coal plants.

New Jersey A.B. 3301 (Enacted, June 2007)

• Department of Environmental Protection administers and develops regulations.
• Develops inventory of GHG emissions.
• 1990 GHG emissions levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.

Washington S.B. 6001 (Enacted, May 2007)

• Sets goal to reduce GHG emission to 1990 levels by 2020,  and to 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
• Sets greenhouse gases emissions performance standard for utilities.

Sample Regional Greenhouse Gas Legislation

Maine H 1290     LD:      1851   AUTHOR:       Koffman (D)

ENACTED:    06/18/2007

SUMMARY:  

Establishes the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act of 2007; creates a statewide Carbon Dioxide Cap and Trade Program for fossil fuel fired electrical generating units; provides an incentive for new energy-efficient electricity; requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop carbon dioxide cap and trade rules that ensure credible greenhouse gas emissions reductions; authorizes major substantive rules regarding combined heat and power incentives; relates to a trade association aggregator.

Rhode Island S 943   AUTHOR: Algiere (R)  TITLE: Power Authority Act

INTRODUCED:        04/26/2007    ENACTED:      06/27/2007

SUMMARY:  

Mandates State implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among 9 northeast states to limit emissions of greenhouse gases; establishes an electric power sector carbon emissions cap and trade program; permits the auction and sale of carbon allowances; uses revenues to promote energy conservation and alternative energy research, rate relief for consumers; provides for a permanent tax exemption from all applicable assessments made against the proceeds from the auction of allowances.

 Climate Change