'Clean Power Plan' in NH

On Monday President Barack Obama (D) released the details of a Clean Power Plan, which gives states fifteen years to reduce national carbon dioxide emissions by 32% from 2005 levels.

New Hampshire state officials are still reviewing the plan. Officials such as Mike Fitzgerald from the state Department of Environmental Services believe New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is sufficient to meet the federal requirements.

RGGI is a cap-and-trade program in which major carbon dioxide emitters in New England must purchase allowances for emissions. Over time the number of allowances decreases, forcing carbon dioxide emitters to lower emissions or pay a higher price.

A White House document on the Clean Power Plan praises RGGI for helping New Hampshire reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 49% since 2008.

However, RGGI opponents maintain that the program is a hidden tax on electricity consumers, who must pay more for electricity from renewable sources

Opponents of the federal Clean Power Plan also say the Plan will also raise electricity rates by forcing low cost fossil fuel power plants to close.

Several states plan to challenge the Clean Power Plan in court.