FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Contact: Senator Martha Fuller Clark

(603) 271-6933

SENATE COMMITTEE VOTES TO SUPPORT GLOBAL WARMING INITIATIVE

CONCORD – The Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee voted today 4-1 in support of legislation to allow New Hampshire to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, involves nine other states and is expected to reduce carbon pollution, improve energy efficiency and ultimately save ratepayers money. The legislation already has passed in the House. The bill will be voted on by the full Senate on Thursday and if passed, will go to the Senate Finance Committee for review.

“By joining RGGI, we can stimulate investment in energy conservation and efficiency, leading to job growth and a stronger economy,” said Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth), a leading Senate sponsor. “Participating in a regional effort to cap carbon emissions also allows New Hampshire to reduce the impact of global warming and the harm it will cause to our ski industry, our maple syrup industry and tourism in general.”

RGGI would require electric utilities to pay for the right to emit each ton of carbon via an auction of carbon allowances. Participating in a regional auction of carbon allowances, New Hampshire would raise millions of dollars for local businesses and homeowners to use toward reducing energy use through improved efficiency. Participation also would reduce the need for expensive upgrades to the state’s old fossil fuel-based power plants.

The Senate Energy committee made a change to the bill today to adjust the cap on what carbon allowances can auction for. The original legislation called for limit that starts at $12 per one-ton carbon allowance and rises over time. An amendment approved by the Senate committee calls for a limit that starts at $6 per one-ton carbon allowance. Assuming the full Senate approves the bill, the House would have to concur with the change or negotiate with the Senate to set a different limit.