The
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) should be a major step
forward in the fight against global warming and in energy industry
innovation.
The
polluting power companies that oppose RGGI are hiding behind a false
argument about the cost of the program, despite the fact that research
shows that the state climate accord could save the typical residential
customer about $50 per year, according to an analysis done by the
Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources.
What
the Northeast truly cannot afford is to let a few polluting companies
insert a poison pill to block an initiative that will protect both our
environment and consumer’s pocketbooks.
Regardless
of whether Gov. Romney swallows the polluter’s poison pill, we believe
that Gov. Carcieri and the other seven governors should move to quickly
announce a final agreement on a program that will reduce pollution from
power plants while protecting consumer’s pocketbooks.
It
is encouraging that Lt. Gov. Fogarty has expressed his support for a
strong RGGI program today, and RIPIRG encourages other elected
officials and the public at large to make their voices heard as well.
