Today, a coalition of Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states will launch the first sale of carbon credits to date, an attempt to curb pollution generated from coal-, oil- and natural gas-powered plants.
How significantly it will reduce carbon emissions, how much alternative energy will come as a result of it, how much new technology could be produced to reduce energy and produce cleaner options - all goals of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - are a few questions remaining to be answered.
What will happen in Pennsylvania is clear - nothing.
Pennsylvania, the No. 4 coal producer in the nation, opted not to participate in the agreement, which stretches from Maryland to Maine. RGGI caps the total amount of carbon that power plants in the 10-state region can pump out of their smokestacks at the current level, which is 188 million tons. The goal is to reduce that to 169 million tons by the year 2018 - a 10 percent drop.
If a power company emits more than it's allowed, it needs to either buy extra allowances or -- ideally -- reduce pollution.
Proponents of the plan say Pennsylvania's decision not to participate cuts a gaping hole in the regional effort.
Full Story: http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-a10_5rggi.6601830sep25,0,7119289.story
