Industry Today

Corporate action and changes in state and federal policy on greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly evolving. To keep our clients briefed on recent events, CDM has highlighted key developments that may affect you.

Status of State Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets, Legislation, and Advisory Commissions

40 States Taking Action

July 1, 2007

19 States with Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Note: unless otherwise noted, levels are for all six GHGs.

Arizona: 2000 levels by 2020; 50% below 2000 levels by 2040
California : 2000 levels by 2010; 1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.  Passed legislation in 2006.
Connectitut : 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
Delaware : 1990 levels by 2019 (10%) for power generators greater than 25MW (CO2 only).
Hawaii :  1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.  Passed legislation in May, Gov has yet to sign (expected)
Illinois : 1990 levels by 2020; 60% below 1990 levels by 2050
Massachusetts : 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 1990 levels in the long term
Maine : Legislation:  1990 levels by 2019 (10%) for power generators greater than 25MW (CO2 only).  Passed Legislation in 2007.  Executive Order:  1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-80% below 2003 levels in the long term.  Passed legislation in 2007
Minnesota : "Goals" of 15% below 2005 levels by 2015; 30% below 2005 by 2025; and 80% below 2005 by 2050.  Passed Legislation in 2007
Montana :  Prohibits approval of new coal generating units unless 50% of CO2 emitted is captures and sequestered.  Passed legislation in 2007
New Hampshire : 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
New Jersey : 1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 2006 levels by 2050
New Mexico : 2000 levels by 2012; 10% below 2000 levels by 2020; 75% below 2000 levels by 2050
New York : 5% below 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020
Oregon : Stabilize by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75% below 1990 levels by 2050
Rhode Island : 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020
Utah ; To be announced in August 2007 as part of the Western Regional Climate Initiative
Vermont : 1990 levels by 2010; 10% below 1990 levels by 2020; 75-85% below 2001 levels in the long term
Washington : 1990 levels by 2020; 25% below 1990 levels by 2035; 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.  Passed legislation in 2007.

14 States with Laws or Considering Legislation to Set Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Five States with New 2007 GHG Laws:  

• Hawaii:   1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.   Governor has until 7/10/07 to approve legislation (expected).
• Maine:    1990 levels by 2019 (10%) for power generators greater than 25MW (CO2 only) – Signed by Gov. 6/18/07
• Minnesota: “Goals” of 15% below 2005 levels by 2015; 30% below 2005 by 2025; and 80% below 2005 by 2050 – Signed by Gov. on 5/25/07
• Montana:   Prohibits approval of new coal generating units unless 50% of CO2 emitted is captures and sequestered – Signed by Gov. 5/14/07
• Washington:   1990 levels by 2020; 25% below 1990 levels by 2035; 50% below 1990 levels by 2050 (All 6 GHGs) – Signed by Gov. 5/3/07

One State with 2006 GHG Law:  

• California:   1990 levels by 2020; 80% below 1990 levels by 2050..

Five States with Existing GHG Reduction Targets Considering New GHG Legislation:

• Arizona:   2000 levels by 2020, 50% below 2000 by 2040. 
• Illinois: SB1187/HB1874 – 1990 levels by 2020; SB9 – by July 1, 2008 the state agency must submit a plan to the Governor and legislature to “significantly reduce” GHG emissions by 2020.
• Maryland: HB890/SB409 – 1990 levels by 2020
• New Jersey:   A3301/S2114 – 1990 levels by 2020.
• New York:   A4326 – 1990 levels by 2020; A5038 – Maximum achievable reduction in GHG by 2020; S3512 – 25% below 1990 levels by 2009 and 50% by 2034. 

Three New States without GHG Reduction Targets Considering New GHG Legislation:

• Nevada: SB422 – Power plant emissions must be below 2006 levels for years 2011-1014; below 2001 levels in 2015; 1% below each of the previous years for 2016-2019; 1.5% below 2019 levels for 2020.
• Texas: HB2143/SB945– 1990 levels by 2020; HB2897 – CO2 emissions below 1990 level by 2020
• Wisconsin: SB81/HB157 – 1990 levels by 2020

16 States Preparing to Participate in Regional GHG Cap & Trade Programs – Most expected to auction allowances

Six States and British Columbia in Western Regional Climate Action Initiative (WRCAI):

10 States in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI):

34 States Participating in the National “Climate Registry”:

Four States with GHG Emission Generation Performance Standards for Electric Generation and Sales

• California:   1,100 lbs of CO2 per MWh
• Montana:   Prohibition on construction of coal-fired plants that don’t sequester 50% of CO2 emission
• Oregon:   675 lbs of CO2 per MWh
• Washington:   1,100 lbs of CO2 per MWh

19 States with Active Climate Legislative Commissions or Executive Branch Advisory Groups

• Alaska: Climate Impact Assessment Commission established in May 2006 by the Legislature.
• Arkansas: Governor's Commission on Global Warming established in April 2007 with Governor Mike Beebe's signing of HB2460.
• Arizona: Climate Change Advisory Group established in February 2005 by executive order.
• California: Market Advisory Committee, Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee and theClimate Action Team established in 2006 and 2005 by executive order.
• Florida: Energy Commission established in June 2006 by the Legislature.
• Iowa: Climate Change Advisory Council established April 2007.
• Idaho:  Director of ID Director of Environmental Quality to Develop GHG reduction strategies. By executive order May 2007  
• Illinois: Climate Change Advisory Group created in October 2006 by Governor Rod Blagojevich.
• Maryland: Climate Change Commission established in April 2007 by executive order.
• Minnesota: Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group appointed in April 2007 by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
• Montana: Climate Change Advisory Council established in April 2006 by the Department of Environmental Quality, as requested by Governor Brian Schweitzer.
• North Carolina: Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change established in September 2005 by the Legislature.
• New Mexico: Climate Change Action Council and Climate Change Advisory Group established in June 2005 by executive order.
• Oregon: Climate Change Integration Group appointed in June 2006 by the Governor.
• South Carolina: Governor's Climate, Energy, and Commerce Advisory Committee established February 2007 by executive order.
• Utah: Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change established August 2006.
• Vermont: Commission on Climate Change established in December 2005 by executive order.
• Washington: WashingtonClimate Change Challenge initiated February 2007 by executive order.
• Wisconsin: Task Force on Global Warming created in April 2007 by executive order.  

For a comprehensive overview of current GHG activity at the state level, download the PDF "Matrix of State GHG Activities."