Q3 Update 2006
Quarter 3 Update
July, August, September 2006
Highlight: Helping the Northeast Take Control of Its Energy Future
Massachusetts Diesel Pollution Solution
Exploring Climate Policy Opportunities in the Northern Forests
RGGI Model Rule
ENE uses research, analysis and advocacy to find cost-effective and sustainable solutions to the problems associated with climate change, energy and diesel pollution in the Northeast. Please read more about our recent progress.
Highlight: Helping the Northeast Take Control of Its Energy Future
Over $12 billion is spent annually on electricity in New England -yet only $275 million is spent on energy efficiency. ENE is working to help the region establish policies that break its focus on building more and more power plants and buying more fossil fuel and that instead direct funds toward demand reduction programs. Such programs will yield long-term benefits and savings for consumers.
In Rhode Island, ENE played a lead role in a successful effort to pass a landmark energy law that included important provisions for incorporating the purchase of efficiency into the state energy plan. We are also active in other states where efficiency policies are being implemented. Connecticut officials have allowed energy efficiency resources to bid into a new market to meet the state's power needs. Maine is also starting a similar process. (See Executive Director Dan Sosland's comments on the importance of state efficiency policies in "Maine to equate demand reduction with supply," Electric Power Daily.)
ENE's efficiency work extends beyond the state level. We are working with other groups in New England to channel funds in the $4 billion Forward Capacity Market (which ensures resources are available to meet peak demand) toward efficiency and demand response programs. Also, we are forming partnerships with adovocacy groups based in Eastern Canada, such as the Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition (ACSEC), and we will join their efforts to advance efficiency policy in the provinces.
Massachusetts Diesel Pollution Solution
ENE is coordinating a network of grassroots, health and other community groups in Cambridge, Chelsea, Dorchester, East Boston, Lawrence, Medford, Roxbury and Springfield to address the issue of diesel pollution in Massachusetts. Community representatives from these groups recently formalized a coalition partnership, under the name the Massachusetts Diesel Pollution Solution (DPS). Diesel pollution is a serious health issue for the state, and it has received attention as a topic in the local media and in the ongoing state political campaigns. The coalition helped the City of Lawrence pass a resolution committing to cleaning up their own diesel fleet and calling on Beacon Hill for a statewide approach. ENE is working with other members of DPS and with state policy makers to develop a policy and outreach strategy for reducing harmful diesel pollution black carbon emissions across Massachusetts.
Exploring Climate Policy Opportunities in the Northern Forests
Working with the Maine Forest Service, ENE finalized a report that investigates the potential for forest management systems to store added carbon as a cost-effective greenhouse gas reduction strategy for the Northeast. ENE is proposing specific guidelines under which biomass generation could truly be promoted as a carbon-neutral means of meeting energy demand. We are also deeply engaged in assessing the potential of New England's northern forests to produce "biofuels." We see these three related areas -carbon markets, biomass, and biofuels- as critical parts of the future of the northern forest economy. ENE is focused on how local communities could benefit from these trends as part of a broad strategy for making the region's forests part of a sustainable energy policy.
RGGI Model Rule
The final RGGI model rule was released in August. ENE was heavily involved in the rule development and review process, and many of our recommendations, including revisions regarding important elements such as allowances, offsets and biomass, were incorporated into the new version of the rule. Adopting a model rule is a major step forward in the RGGI process. ENE will remain involved as the next stage of state-level review and sign-on continues. The primary decision left to the states is to determine the method of allowance allocation.
