Connecticut DEP Commissioner Says Feds Should Not Be Allowed to Trump State Climate Change Policy
I want to thank my colleague Lee Hoffman for drafting this post:
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In comments made at the November 20, 2008 Northeast Climate Policy Forum, Gina McCarthy, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, told forum participants that states have been “using their sweat equity the past seven years to really be out in front when there was no federal visibility on the issue of climate either in this country or internationally.” McCarthy went on to note that states took the lead in testing models and developing programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), with little, if any assistance from the federal government. “If you think at this point in time when the federal government wants to step up that the states are interested in ceding their authority to the union, then I would ask you to think again," McCarthy said. McCarthy stated that for future regulation of greenhouse gases, a true partnership between state and federal authorities was needed.
McCarthy noted that one of the chief challenges in climate regulation is to regulate carbon emissions without having an adverse impact on the economy. According to McCarthy, RGGI member states are able to demonstrate that the auction of carbon allowances can put a price on carbon without adversely impacting the economy of various member states. McCarthy also noted that RGGI auction proceeds are being used to invest in energy efficiency, and such investments may improve area economies. “We will show a way to save money. We will show that you can attack the challenge of climate and do it in a way that will build a sustainable economy, a sustainable energy policy, and move us forward,” she said.
