WASHINGTON - The Obama administration released its final Clean Power Plan this afternoon. The plan sets the first ever carbon emission limits from power plants.
The goal is to reduce carbon emissions 30 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030. Former Maine Public Advocate Steve Ward, who oversaw the public's interest in utility issues, says it's a positive step for the country as a whole and for Maine.
"And happily for folks in Maine, it won't represent significant sacrifice," Ward says. "In fact, our participation in RGGI - the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - means we're already receiving benefits from cutting carbon emissions."
The RGGI program is a nine-state cap and trade emissions program. Proceeds from emission trades fund energy efficiency programs in Maine. Under the new Clean Power Plan rule, other states could tackle carbon emissions regionally as well.
