Maine has a lot to lose from global warming. Fortunately, the state has begun to take action. In December, Gov Baldacci signed a historic agreement uniting a number of Northeast states to cut global warming pollution from power plants. Now, in the face of efforts by power plant lobbyists to weaken the governor's commitment, Environment Maine is calling on Gov. Baldacci to follow through with implementing the program.

Pollution on the rise
Global warming pollution in Maine jumped 77 percent between 1960 and 2001, according to The Carbon Boom, an analysis of government data released recently by the Environment Maine Research & Policy Center. In Maine, increased oil combustion—largely due to fuel cars and light trucks—accounted for half of the state’s increase in carbon dioxide emissions from 1960 to 2001. Vehicle travel increased dramatically over the period, while the fuel efficiency of vehicles stalled in the late 1980s. Yearly vehicle miles traveled per person increased from 4,664 in 1960 to 11,210 in 2001, ranking Maine fifteenth in the country for most miles traveled.

Our research also revealed that increased emissions at natural gas plants in Maine caused the other half of Maine’s 77 percent increase in global warming pollution. In fact, over 60 percent of electricity used in Maine comes from power plants burning coal, oil and natural gas.

Maine moving forward
Fortunately, Maine has taken a number of steps to cut global warming pollution. In the fall of 2005, the Department of Environmental Protection adopted Environment Maine-backed global warming tailpipe standards to cut global warming pollution from new cars sold in the state. Not only will this cut air and global warming pollution, it will also reduce the operating costs of cars, especially as gas prices continue to skyrocket. Last spring, Environment Maine successfully convinced the Legislature to pass a bill, LD 2041, which will promote energy efficiency programs rather than power plant production and set a goal of producing 10 percent more renewable energy by 2017 in Maine.

Next step: power plant pollution
Gov. Baldacci signed a historic agreement with other Northeast states to tackle power plant pollution. This regional program, called RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), would reduce global warming pollution from power plants 10 percent by 2020. Although this cap and trade program would allow flexibility for large power plant owners, power plant owners are looking to scuttle or weaken the program. All the while, these power plants continue to produce smog and mercury pollution that contaminate our state. Maine’s action, in coordination with the other Northeast states, will help force the hand of the federal government in taking action on global warming. Scientists agree that now is the time to take action to slow and reverse global warming.

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