The states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont are the first signatories to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which seeks to cap emissions from power plants to 1990 levels – around 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – through to 2014, with a 10% reduction expected to follow by 2018.
The 2018 target, released by the RGGI last Thursday, is two years earlier than previously expected.
If the RGGI's plans are implemented, the states will be empowered to place emissions targets on power plants operating in the region, with additional tariffs on energy helping to contribute to the cost of implementing emissions reducing programs or technologies.
The provision of offset options for power generators has been limited to 5% of emissions generated by power plants, meaning genuine reduction of emissions are still expected as a result of the RGGI plan.
While tree-planting is considered a valid option for offsetting power plant emissions – a widely used practice that plays a fundamental role in Australia's current greenhouse gas auditing – the capture and burning of methane from landfill is being given serious examination, as methane is considered 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
Due to the potency of methane, it should be possible for power plants to meet their offset targets more efficiently by capturing landfill methane, with the added bonus of creating additional electricity to supply to the grid.
