1. Cap & Trade “has created 3,800 jobs and nearly $500 million in economic activity for Massachusetts since 2008.” That’s the verdict of a recent study on the matter, Inside Climate reports. Nothing surprising to those who follow the effects of cap & trade, but would probably surprise a … [continued]
The financial papers this week are reeling, simply reeling, at the plummet in the EU carbon markets. The idea is that the European Trading Scheme is a failure, because the price of carbon in the European cap and trade market has bottomed at a very low price: just 7.68 euros. … [continued]
New Jersey continues its incredible solar development – now rivaling California’s, as a result of its membership in RGGI and participation in regional cap and trade and renewable energy policy that makes new clean energy investment more competitive with fossil energy through the sale of SRECs.
Some more clean (& dirty) tech policy and politics stories from the last week….
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of the Republican party’s many two-faced liars (who says he is promoting renewable energy but is, in fact, doing everything he can to fight its growth), recently announced that he was pulling the state out of the Northeast’s climate change and clean energy cap-and-trade program, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Well, it turns out, Governor Christie may not have the power to do so soon… but it’s going to be a close call.
I had been worried about two or three states pulling out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, pronounced “Reggie”), the nation’s first cap and trade program for greenhouse gases, for awhile. It seemed 99.9% sure that New Hampshire would pull out after its House of Representatives voted to pull out of the initiative and its Senate had a clear Republican majority likely to do the same. Even if the Governor tried to veto such a decision, he could be overridden.
On the last day of 2010, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles set the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit for 2020. Given a range of 10% below to 25% below 1990 levels, Bowles has now selected the maximum authorized by the Act. The 2008 Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions … [continued]
If you’re not aware, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, pronounced “Reggie”), the first cap and trade system in the U.S. started on January 1, 2009, after about 6 years of discussions and preparation. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont participate in … [continued]
One of the largest orchards in Massachusetts has just cut its utility bill 80% with a $1.1 million 220 KW solar power plant. The state of Massachusetts helped Carlson Orchards with grants totaling $595,000 to help in the installation of the 1,050 solar photovoltaic panels. Massachusetts earns money to invest … [continued]
Maine has just pioneered a world first towards being able to trade weatherization on the cap and trade market. MaineHousing had a goal to get every home and half the businesses in Maine weatherized within the next twenty years, but like most states, is starved for funds to help homeowners … [continued]
