The Success of RGGI Carbon Trading Shows Cap-and-Trade Works

Despite opposition from Republicans, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has been shown to be very successful. A January 28th New York Times article reviewed RGGI a carbon trading initiative launched by ten northeastern states in January 2009. According to independent reports the emissions reductions have been greater and cheaper than expected, and have produced substantial fringe benefits in terms of lower overall electricity costs, more jobs, and greater regional independence of fossil fuel imports.

The RGGI cap-and-trade carbon trading scheme was based on the successful initiative to reduce emissions of acid rain precursor aerosols which in the 1980s and 1990s achieved significant reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions.

Republicans who once supported cap-and-trade decided to make the issue a political football and as part of their obstructionist approach they now rail against it. Although New Jersey Governor Chris Christie withdrew from RGGI, independent studies confirm it is clearly working well.

Since its inception in 2009, Northeastern greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 30 percent. This is largely due to switching from coal to natural gas reduced demand brought on by the recession. On its own the RGGI trading system accounts for 6 percent of these emissions reductions.

An independent assessment by the Analysis Group further indicated that RGGI has saved customers money and created jobs. Participating states have used proceeds from the auctions to promote energy efficiency and electricity generation from renewables. The study, commissioned by four nonprofit foundations and conducted by the Boston consulting firm Analysis Group.

These findings demonstrate that carbon trading under a cap-and-trade system is the best way to use the free market to reduce emissions in a way that minimizes harm to the economy. When the review period comes to an end in the summer 2012 it will likely be declared a success and be subject to more stringent cuts and more widespread adoption. This is great news for the environment and the economy.

Research shows that Republicans are on the wrong side of this issue as the RGGI program illustrates that the benefits of carbon trading far outweigh the costs.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Michigan State University Protesting Coal on Campus

Although schools across the US are increasingly adopting greener energy alternatives, this is not the case for Michigan State University. The school has the largest on-campus coal plant in the nation burning over 200,000 tons of coal each year. In addition to contributing to climate change, the plant's pollution contaminates the air in the community of East Lansing, and far beyond.

Greenpeace reports that the incidences of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, lung disease, and emphysema are drastically higher in areas near coal-fired power plants. It is estimated that coal pollution causes 31 deaths annually in East Lansing.

“Coal is harmful to our environment and us, but not everyone knows. I think it is important to raise awareness of the problem so it can be fixed and the damaging effects of coal can be stopped,” said student activist Kendra Majewski.

For two years MSU students have been engaged in Greenpeace's Quit Coal campaign. Students have gathered petitions, rallied, marched, met with the administration, and brought clean energy experts to campus to meet with physical plant engineers. They are demanding that the administration quit coal and transition to clean energy. The MSU administration has thus far ignored their pleas.

Even though three students were recently arrested at a Michigan State University Sit-in, MSU activists have indicated that they are going to keep demanding clean air. Hundreds of other campuses across the nation have demonstrated in support of the school's Quit Coal campaign. month of October's 100 Actions for 100% Clean Energy.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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NYU's Energy Efficient Power Generation

Energy Use in New York City schools is down 11% since 2008, and New York University's (NYU) super efficient CoGeneration power plant is now fully operational. NYU has been making their own power since the ’70s and they recently replaced their oil-fired CoGeneration power plant with a $125 million power plant that is 90 percent more efficient than their old plant. It creates 23 percent less carbon dioxide emissions and has twice the power output.

The new plant will provide electricity for lights, elevators and computers as well as heating and cooling. “This CoGen plant is unique in New York and certainly around the country because of its efficiency,” said John Bradley, assistant VP for Sustainability, Energy, and Technical Services at NYU. “ NYU’s CoGen will be well into the 90 percent range of efficiency, where a typical boiler plant is 50-60 percent efficient.”

The plant is part of NYU’s carbon reducing plan know as the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP program was started by New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC Climate Challenge which asked all city colleges and universities to cut their carbon emissions voluntarily by 30 percent by 2017.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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