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Senators looking to curb greenhouse gases

By Casey Junkins - City Editor | Nov 14, 2019

NASHUA – Hoping to curb rising global temperatures by limiting emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, U.S. Senate members representing states in the Northeast are working on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act.

“This bipartisan legislation would support states like New Hampshire that have already created these sorts of emission-reducing programs, while also encouraging other states and local governments to develop their own regional greenhouse gas initiatives,” U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said of her bill. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this common-sense legislation that will help America build a cleaner energy future.”

If the legislation eventually became law, it would establish, within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an Office of Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs. This office would provide analysis and technical assistance to help establish new regional greenhouse gas reduction programs. It would also provide grants for state and local governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tom Carper, D-Del., Chris Coons, D-Del., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Angus King, I-Maine, Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., as well as Bob Casey, D-Pa., whose state has taken steps recently to join the initiative.

“States in the Northeastern region of the country, including New Hampshire, are already seeing devastating impacts from climate change, underscoring the urgent need to take action before it’s too late,” Shaheen said. “By establishing an Office of Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs within the Environmental Protection Agency, this legislation will provide technical assistance and guidance for states in other regions to replicate the success of RGGI and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to the EPA, the three major forms of greenhouse gases are:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) – It the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and other biological materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions;

• Methane (CH4) – It is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills; and

• Nitrous oxide (N2O) – Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste, as well as during treatment of wastewater.

“There is no doubt that climate change poses a significant threat to our economy and our natural resources, including Maine’s forestry, fishing, agricultural, tourism, and recreation industries,” added Collins. “This significant challenge requires cooperation at all levels of government and across geographical boundaries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

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