(From: http://www.rggi.org/about.htm)

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI or “ReGGIe”) is a cooperative effort by [10] Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to discuss the design of a regional cap-and-trade program initially covering carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the region. In the future, RGGI may be extended to include other sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and greenhouse gases other than CO2.

First, it’s a start. If the federal government won’t do it the states will. Reduction is the job of government – because the burden must be shared. Cap and Trade is the only sensible answer. By creating a cap and trade across 10 states, which according to the census bureau, represents 16% of the US population we are starting somewhere.

These states are initially focusing on energy production. Again, makes sense since it represents the largest portion of the greenhouse gas (“GHG”) creation. Too many people call this an energy tax. On the face it could be seen that way, if taxes worked the way they were supposed to and focused the revenue into the offset that removes the very thing the damage caused. All an offset does is intermediate the money from the creation of GHG to the removal of GHG. Simple.

But, the best part is that it builds awareness. It is impossible to hear about these actions and not consider GHG damage. This is an opportunity for the people, the companies and the government to identify their footprint and work to reduce it. Until you quantify your emissions how can you hope to manage them. No one is expecting the world to go to zero emissions but first we need to understand what we are creating then measure and reduce.

It is great for a first step…