Climate Change (Maine Revised Statutes: Title 38 - Waters and Navigation; Chapter 3-A)

Title 38: WATERS AND NAVIGATION Chapter 3-A: CLIMATE CHANGE Table of Contents Section 574. DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 3 Section 575. LEAD-BY-EXAMPLE INITIATIVE....................................................................... 3 Section 576. REDUCTION GOALS.............................................................................................. 4 Section 577. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN...................................................................................... 4 Section 578. PROGRESS EVALUATION.................................................................................... 4 Section 579. REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE.................................................. 5 | i MRS Title 38, Chapter 3-A: CLIMATE CHANGE Text current through November 1, 2018, see disclaimer at end of document. ii | Maine Revised Statutes Title 38: WATERS AND NAVIGATION Chapter 3-A: CLIMATE CHANGE §574. DEFINITIONS As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW).] 1. Greenhouse gas. "Greenhouse gas" means any chemical or physical substance that is emitted into the air and that the department determines by rule may reasonably be anticipated to cause or contribute to climate change. "Greenhouse gas" includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Rules adopted by the department pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 2. Sector. "Sector" means one of the 5 sectors identified in the climate change action plan adopted by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August 2001. The 5 sectors are the transportation, industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors. [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] SECTION HISTORY 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW). §575. LEAD-BY-EXAMPLE INITIATIVE The department shall establish a lead-by-example initiative under which the department shall: [2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW).] 1. Greenhouse gas emissions inventory for state-owned facilities and state-funded programs. Create an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions associated with state-owned facilities and state-funded programs and create a plan for reducing those emissions to below 1990 levels by 2010; [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 2. Carbon emission reduction. By January 1, 2006, seek to establish carbon emission reduction agreements with at least 50 businesses and nonprofit organizations; [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 3. New England greenhouse registry. Participate in a regional effort to develop and adopt a greenhouse gas registry that includes 3rd-party verification; and [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 4. Statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Create an annual statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] SECTION HISTORY Generated 1.25.2019 §574. Definitions | 3 MRS Title 38, Chapter 3-A: CLIMATE CHANGE 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW). §576. REDUCTION GOALS The State's goals for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the State are as follows: [2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW).] 1. Reduction by 2010. In the short term, reduction to 1990 levels by January 1, 2010; [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 2. Reduction by 2020. In the medium term, reduction to 10% below 1990 levels by January 1, 2020; and [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] 3. Long-term reduction. In the long term, reduction sufficient to eliminate any dangerous threat to the climate. To accomplish this goal, reduction to 75% to 80% below 2003 levels may be required. [ 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW) .] SECTION HISTORY 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW). §577. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN By July 1, 2004, the department, with input from stakeholders, shall adopt a state climate action plan to meet the reduction goals specified in section 576. The action plan must address reduction in each sector in cost-effective ways and must allow sustainably managed forestry, agricultural and other natural resource activities to be used to sequester greenhouse gas emissions. The department shall submit the action plan to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters. [2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW). §578. PROGRESS EVALUATION By January 1, 2006 and by that date every 2 years thereafter, the department shall evaluate the State's progress toward meeting the reduction goals specified in section 576, review the cost-effectiveness of the actions taken toward meeting the reduction goals and shall amend the action plan as necessary to ensure that the State can meet the reduction goals. The department shall submit a report of its evaluation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters by January 1, 2016 and by that date every 2 years thereafter. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters is authorized to report out legislation relating to the evaluation to the second regular session of any Legislature. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters may make recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters regarding that legislation. Starting no earlier than January 1, 2008, the department may recommend to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters that the reduction goals specified in section 576 be increased or decreased. [2013, c. 415, §5 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY 2003, c. 237, §1 (NEW). 2005, c. 144, §1 (AMD). 2013, c. 415, §5 (AMD). 4 | §576. Reduction goals Generated 1.25.2019 MRS Title 38, Chapter 3-A: CLIMATE CHANGE §579. REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE The department may participate in the regional greenhouse gas initiative under chapter 3-B. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee and the members of the Public Utilities Commission are authorized to act as representatives for the State in the regional organization as defined in section 580 A, subsection 20, may contract with organizations and entities when such arrangements are necessary to efficiently carry out the purposes of this section and may coordinate the State's efforts with other states and jurisdictions participating in that initiative, with respect to: [2013, c. 588, Pt. A, §49 (RPR).] 1. Regional market. The design, conduct and supervision of a regional market for carbon dioxide allowances; [ 2007, c. 317, §16 (NEW) .] 2. Additional offset categories. The establishment and mutual recognition of additional offset categories that recognize the State's unique geography, economy and natural resources; and [ 2007, c. 317, §16 (NEW) .] 3. Ensuring no unfair disadvantage. Efforts seeking to ensure that electricity generated within participating states and jurisdictions is not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of imports of electricity from nonparticipating states and jurisdictions. [ 2007, c. 317, §16 (NEW) .] SECTION HISTORY 2005, c. 330, §24 (NEW). 2007, c. 317, §16 (AMD). 2007, c. 608, §3 (AMD). 2013, c. 369, Pt. D, §1 (AMD). 2013, c. 415, §6 (AMD). 2013, c. 588, Pt. A, §49 (AMD). The State of Maine claims a copyright in its codified statutes. If you intend to republish this material, we require that you include the following disclaimer in your publication: All copyrights and other rights to statutory text are reserved by the State of Maine. The text included in this publication reflects changes made through the Second Special Session of the 128th Maine Legislature and is current through November 1, 2018. The text is subject to change without notice. It is a version that has not been officially certified by the Secretary of State. Refer to the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated and supplements for certified text. The Office of the Revisor of Statutes also requests that you send us one copy of any statutory publication you may produce. Our goal is not to restrict publishing activity, but to keep track of who is publishing what, to identify any needless duplication and to preserve the State's copyright rights. PLEASE NOTE: The Revisor's Office cannot perform research for or provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the public. If you need legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney. Generated 1.25.2019 §579. Regional greenhouse gas initiative | 5