The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI, www.rggi.org) is a cooperative effort by Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Central to this initiative is the implementation of a multi-state cap-and-trade program with a market-based emissions trading system. The proposed program will require electric power generators in participating states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Projections of carbon dioxide emissions under RGGI calculated here assumed that the following caps (allowances) are met:

• 2009-2014 Electric power emissions constant

• 2015-2018 Electric power emissions decline at 2.5% per year

RGGI2018 assumes that the above caps are met, and that RGGI is not extended past 2018. In this scenario the growth rate of electric power emissions are assumed to return to average historical rates for the period 2019-2050.

RGGI2050 assumes that the above caps are met, and that RGGI is extended to 2050 such that electric power emissions continue to decline at 2.5% per year 2019-2050.

References:

RGGI Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: An Initiative of the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic States of the U.S. www.rggi.org.

Bogdonoff S, Rubin J. 2007. A primer for Maine: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Revised Edition. Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and the Muskie School of Public Service.

Bogdonoff S, Rubin J. 2007b. The regional greenhouse gas initiative: Maine takes action. Environment Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 49(2): 3-7.