AG asks Gov to review emission plan

Late Monday, Attorney General Patrick Lynch asked Governor Donald Carcieri to reconsider his recent decision to reject the regional cap-and-trade program that would stabilize carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 2015 and realize a reduction in emissions by 2020.

In a letter, Lynch pointed to evidence, including a conclusion reached by the Rhode Island DEM that showed that costs associated with the regional cap-and-trade program would not be significant.

“I believe that backing Rhode Island out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is contrary to sound public policy, and also is contrary to the steps the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Protection is already taking to institute the Low Vehicle Emission program consistent with the Pavley amendments in California,” wrote Lynch. “I am chiefly concerned, however, because of the effects this action could have on the state’s litigation strategies concerning global warming.”