Sen. Dana Dow, a Republican, Monday, May 14, 2007

The good news is that these states are working together to put in place a program to curb pollution from power plants, one of the biggest sources of these gases. The program is called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, for short.

Maine has been helping to develop RGGI for several years, and the Legislature will soon vote on formally joining the program. I'm proud to be a sponsor of this legislation, LD 1851, and hope that all of us can come together in support of this program.

Maine has a long history of conservation actions. Over the decades we've taken steps to keep toxics like lead and mercury out of our environment and the bodies of our family members. We've set aside tracts of land to preserve them for future generations. And in recent years we've passed laws to reduce global warming pollution from cars and trucks.

We Mainers understand the connection between the health of our environment and our economy. Our forests, rivers and coastline are not just a pretty backdrop, they are how thousands of Mainers make their living.

There is an emerging consensus in Maine and elsewhere that the threat of global warming is real and action is necessary now. If we don't take steps to change course, our coasts will be particularly at risk, from rising sea-level to an increase in destructive storms. In my district, Maine's beloved Boothbay Harbor is one of the state's ten most at-risk communities. We could even see changes in the "North Woods" itself, our evergreen forest.

The need to protect Maine's environment has not changed, but sometimes the way we do it does. RGGI uses a "market-based" method that reduces pollution at the lowest possible cost. Basically, RGGI puts a price tag on carbon pollution. It has worked before in this country for air pollution and acid rain and now it is time to put it to work on global warming.

RGGI is part of the solution. And it is one that combines the stewardship ethic we have had for over 100 years with the modern day need to improve our economy. With the RGGI bill, we will use the money from the sale of "carbon credits" to pay for new investments in energy efficiency. By making efficiency investments we will cut energy costs for ordinary households and businesses big and small. These investments could save us $60 million dollars in energy costs every year. That's a smart way for Maine to improve its economy.

We understand the science. We understand how the policy should work. Now we need the commitment to move ahead with these other nine states. I support RGGI because we have a responsibility to take action and the ability to do so wisely.

Sen. Dana Dow, a Republican, is currently serving his second term in the State Senate, where he represents District 20 which includes most of Lincoln County and parts of Kennebec and Knox Counties.