Global Warming: What You Need to Know

Policies and Proposals

U.S. State and Regional Action on Global Warming

Nearly half the nation’s statehouses and Governor’s mansions, led by both Republicans and Democrats, are seizing the initiative and passing policies aimed at capping and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Twenty-three states are now engaged in the establishment of regional cap-and-trade systems, and more states have established emissions limits or launched climate action plans. Actions by these states could have a large impact on total U.S. emissions, and have given participants helpful experience in designing and navigating a carbon market. Here are some of the most recent examples:

Regional Efforts

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI): Ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have established a cap-and-trade program for power plants in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. RGGI members have agreed to cap power plant carbon dioxide emissions beginning in 2009, hold those emissions stable through 2014, and from 2015 to 2019 reduce those emissions by 10%. Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the Eastern Canadian Provinces are observers to the initiative.

Western Climate Change Initiative (WCI): This initiative by Arizona, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Utah, and the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba, sets a regional goal of reducing emissions of the six major GHGs 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MRGGRA): Nine U.S. states—Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio, and South Dakota—and the Canadian province of Manitoba recently signed an agreement that commits them to establishing GHG reduction targets and timeframes, developing a market-based and multi-sector cap-and-trade system, and creating complementary policies to achieve full implementation of the accord within 30 months. Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota signed the agreement as “observers” and will decide later whether to participate fully in the cap-and-trade system.

Renewable Energy Standards

Twenty-six states plus the District of Columbia have mandated that electric utilities generate a portion of their energy from renewable resources. Among these are states as geographically varied as Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. Missouri and Virginia have voluntary targets.

Motor Vehicle Standards

California has led the way with legislation requiring a 30% reduction in GHG emissions from new passenger vehicles (cars and light trucks) by 2016, including an interim goal of a 22% reduction by 2012. Sixteen other states (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington) have already adopted, or are in the process of adopting, California’s standard for vehicle emissions. Combined, these states represent around 40% of U.S. GHG emissions and more than half of the country’s population. Though the EPA refused in December 2007 to grant a waiver to California to enact these stricter standards, California and fifteen other states have sued the agency to overturn the decision. Also, Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced legislation (S. 2555) that would grant the waiver.

Individual State Efforts

Arizona: Governor Janet Napolitano signed an Executive Order on September 7, 2006, calling for statewide GHG emissions to be reduced to 2000 levels by 2020 and to 50% below 2000 levels by 2040.

Arizona is a WCI member state and has a renewable energy standard. The state began a formal rulemaking process to adopt California’s vehicle emissions standards in November 2007.

California: On June 1, 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order requiring state officials to develop plans that would reduce the state’s GHG emissions by 11% below current levels over the next five years, 25% by 2020, and 80% by 2050. California is a member of the WCI, has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has led the nation in designing GHG reduction standards for passenger vehicles. In January, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an executive order establishing a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard intended to measure and limit the “life-cycle carbon intensity” of transportation fuels used within the state.

Connecticut: The 2005 Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan dictates GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 by 2020, and 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long-term. Connecticut is a RGGI state, has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Florida: Governor Charlie Crist signed an Executive Order on July 13, 2007, committing the state to reduce GHGs to 2000 levels by 2017, 1990 levels by 2025, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The order also calls for the adoption of California’s vehicle GHG emissions standards.

Hawaii: A state law put into effect July 1, 2007, called for reducing statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Hawaii has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards.

Illinois: On February 13, 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich announced the statewide goals of reducing GHGs to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 10% below 1990 levels by 2050. Illinois has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards and is considering adopting California’s vehicle emissions standards as of November 2007.

Maine: A state law adopted on September 13, 2003, mandated GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long-term. Maine is a RGGI state and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Massachusetts: Then-Governor Mitt Romney released his Climate Protection Plan in 2004, which calls for GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long-term. Massachusetts is a RGGI state and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Minnesota: A state bill passed on May 21, 2007, called for GHG reduction targets of 15% below 2005 levels by 2015, 30% below 2005 by 2025, and 80% below 2005 by 2050. Minnesota has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards.

New Hampshire: Then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen issued the Climate Change Challenge in December, 2001, calling for a statewide reduction of GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long-term. New Hampshire is a RGGI state and has a renewable energy standard.

New Jersey: Governor Jon Corzine signed an Executive Order on February 13, 2007, to adopt goals for GHG emissions reductions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. New Jersey is a RGGI member state, has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

New Mexico: On June 9, 2005, Governor Bill Richardson signed an executive order that set ambitious emissions reduction targets for the state. Governor Richardson will lead New Mexico to reduce the state’s global warming pollution to 2000 levels by 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020, and a 75% reduction below 2000 levels by 2050. New Mexico is party to the WCI and has a renewable energy standard. In December 2006 the Governor also called for adoption of the California vehicle emissions standards, which will take effect beginning with model year 2011.

New York: The New York State Energy Plan of 2002 dictates GHG reductions of 5% below 1990 levels by 2010 and 10% below 1990 levels by 2020. New York is a RGGI member state, has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Oregon: Issued in December 2004, the Oregon Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions calls for the stabilization of GHG emissions by 2010, and reductions of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75% below 1990 levels by 2050. Oregon is a WCI state and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Action Plan was developed in 2002 and prescribes a statewide GHG reduction to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long-term. Rhode Island is a RGGI state and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Vermont: In a December 2005 Executive Order, Governor Jim Douglas laid out a target of reducing the state’s GHG emissions by 25% from 1990 levels by 2012; 50% by 2028; and, if practical, 75% by 2050. The Governor’s Climate Change Commission submitted its final action plan in October 2007, including various recommendations for cutting emissions, such as energy conservation and preservation of forests. Vermont is a member of RGGI and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Washington: On April 8, 2005, Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill mandating that all new public buildings meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards. On February 7, 2007, the Governor signed an Executive Order setting GHG emissions targets of reductions to 1990 levels by 2020, 25% below 1990 levels by 2035, and 50% below 1990 levels by 2050. Washington is a member of the WCI and has both renewable energy and energy resource efficiency standards, and has adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards.

Next: Supreme Court Decision on Greenhouse Gas Regulation