PORTLAND—Global warming pollution in Maine increased by 24% between 1990 and 2004, according to The Carbon Boom, a new analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data released today by the Environment Maine Research & Policy Center. This is the first time that 2004 state-by-state data on carbon dioxide emissions have been released.
“Given the risks from global warming, Maine can’t afford to let its global warming pollution increase. It’s like the doctor telling you that you need to go on a serious diet, but instead you go straight for the Ben & Jerry’s,” said Environment Maine’s Matthew Davis.
The Environment Maine Research & Policy Center’s report comes less than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a U.N. body charged with assessing the scientific record on global warming, released its consensus report on the current and projected impacts of global warming. The report warned of increasing droughts, floods, heat waves, water stress, forest fires, and coastal flooding in the United States but concluded that “many impacts can be avoided, reduced, or delayed” by quickly and significantly reducing global warming pollution.
“Global warming pollution is skyrocketing in Maine just as scientists are sounding alarms that we must rapidly reduce pollution to protect future generations. This report is a wake-up call to cap pollution levels now before it is too late,” said Davis. “ Maine’s efforts to cap power plant pollution will help reverse the trend.”
Using data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environment Maine Research & Policy Center’s new report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption between 1990 and 2004, the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available.
Major findings of the report include: • Maine ’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption grew from 18.4 million metric tons to 22.8 million metric tons between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 24%.
• Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption increased by 18% between 1990 and 2004. Coal-fired power plants and the transportation sector—especially cars and SUVs—drove this emissions increase.
• In Maine, carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas-fired power plants increased by 33424% between 1990 and 2004, rising from 0.01 million metric tons to 3.5 million metric tons. As Maine became over-reliant on natural gas, the fossil fuel went from accounting for 0.1 million MWh to 9.8 million MWh of electricity generation.
• In Maine, carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline (primarily in cars and SUVs) increased by 19% between 1990 and 2004, rising from 5.2 million metric tons to 6.1 million metric tons. Between 1990 and 2004, vehicle miles traveled in Maine increased by 26%, while cars and SUVs became less efficient.
“The good news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Davis.
The United States could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more efficient and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
The Safe Climate Act (H.R. 1590), introduced by Representative Henry Waxman (CA) in the House, and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309), introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Barbara Boxer (CA) in the Senate, would limit global warming pollution to levels that current science says are needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming. The bills would freeze U.S. global warming emissions in 2010 and reduce emissions by about 15% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050.
“Our elected leaders have the opportunity to take action to achieve the reductions needed,” said Davis. “We commend Congressmen Tom Allen and Michael Michaud for co-sponsoring this critical legislation.”
Only yesterday, Governor John Baldacci released his bill to enact and implement the Northeast pact to curb power plant pollution, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
“ Maine’s efforts to cut power plant pollution under the Northeast pact will help reverse the upward trend in emissions,” said Davis. “Cutting power plant pollution is just the first in a number of necessary steps. Next the state must invest in keeping the Downeaster train running and expand its services to curb Mainers’ increased driving and the resulting tailpipe pollution.”
Environment Maine is a non-partisan, non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces on behalf of our 3,500 statewide members.
