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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

MA (Re-)Joins Regional Pact to Help Freeze Global Warming

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Friday, January 19, 2007   


Massachusetts residents could see their energy bills go down, as power plants pay up for emitting greenhouse gases. Governor Patrick followed through on his campaign promise by rejoining the nation's first multi-state effort with set regulations that address climate change - the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Power plants will now have to pay to pollute and the state will auction off gas allowances and fine companies that don't stay under their limits. All of the money earned will go towards funding energy conservation. Frank Gorke, energy advocate for MASSPIRG, says the environment is not the only "green thing" that can be saved.

"It's fairly well designed so that all consumers, whether you're talking about residential customers or business customers, will probably see their energy bills go down."

Gorke believes this is just the first step in curing a worldwide problem.

"Scientists are saying we need 75 to 85 percent pollution reduction by the middle of this decade if we're going to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. This program will get us probably 10 percent reductions by comparison from one sector - just power plants."

Plants have two years to cut emissions or face fines, and opponents say this could cause businesses to flee the state. Patrick says there's an economic opportunity for more local businesses to focus on manufacturing environment-friendly technology that could be sold throughout the country.



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