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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Policy

The Promise Of Floating Offshore Wind Power In The Gulf Of Maine: New Developments And New Challenges, Jack Shapiro Dec 2023

The Promise Of Floating Offshore Wind Power In The Gulf Of Maine: New Developments And New Challenges, Jack Shapiro

Maine Policy Review

Maine has set ambitious climate and clean energy goals in the past few years, requiring an economy-wide transition away from fossil fuels. This includes displacing fossil fuel power generation, as well as electrifying end-uses of energy in heating our buildings and fueling our vehicles. This transition will require significant amounts of new renewable energy. This commentary will explore the key role that floating offshore wind will play in in meeting Maine – and New England’s – climate and clean energy goals, including the challenge and promise of being a leader in newer floating offshore wind technology, floating offshore wind technologies …


Attitudes Toward Offshore Wind Power In The Midcoast Region Of Maine, James Acheson Jan 2012

Attitudes Toward Offshore Wind Power In The Midcoast Region Of Maine, James Acheson

Maine Policy Review

Given the likelihood of the development of offshore wind farms in Maine and the increasingly politicized nature of discussions about wind power in general, there is a need for more systematic information on Mainers’ opinions about offshore wind power. In this article, James Acheson provides information on the range of public opinion about offshore wind power based on a survey of fishermen, tourism-related business owners and coastal property owners in Midcoast Maine. He assesses the accuracy of some public concerns and discusses the broader policy issues raised about offshore wind development.


What We Can Expect From The Federal Government To Address Climate Change And Energy Independence, Adam Cote Jan 2008

What We Can Expect From The Federal Government To Address Climate Change And Energy Independence, Adam Cote

Maine Policy Review

Adam Cote highlights major federal energy and climate initiatives that the new administration and Congress are likely to try to enact. Many of these initiatives could be important for Maine, particularly policies and funding that promote clean energy, energy efficiency, conservation, and “green-collar” jobs.


Confronting Global Warming: Maine’S Multi-Sector Initiatives, 2003–2008, David P. Littell, Gary S. Westerman, Malcolm C. Burson Jan 2008

Confronting Global Warming: Maine’S Multi-Sector Initiatives, 2003–2008, David P. Littell, Gary S. Westerman, Malcolm C. Burson

Maine Policy Review

David Littell, Gary Westerman and Malcolm Burson describe Maine’s pioneering efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy efficiency, and developing less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy sources. They discuss in particular the goals and accomplishments of the state’s Climate Action Plan and Maine’s participation in several multi-state and regional efforts, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).


Transportation And Climate Change, Jonathan Rubin Jan 2008

Transportation And Climate Change, Jonathan Rubin

Maine Policy Review

The transportation and residential sectors in Maine use a large proportion of fossil fuels, primarily petroleum products, and are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Jonathan Rubin’s article on transportation reviews mechanisms by which petroleum demand and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, emphasizing state and federal legislation to achieve these goals. He describes ways in which transportation systems will be affected by and have to adapt to climate change.


The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: What It Means For Maine, Sondra Bogdonoff Jan 2008

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: What It Means For Maine, Sondra Bogdonoff

Maine Policy Review

The federal government has been slow to act on curbing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and on reducing dependence on petroleum and other fossil fuels. In the absence of federal leadership, Maine and other states have enacted policies and practices to try to address these issues. Sondra Bogdonoff’s article discusses the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), in which Maine participates, the first regional program in the U.S. to address climate change. RGGI is a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, which are “capped” at allowable levels. Power generators can buy and sell allowances. Under RGGI, …


“The Skeptics Agenda” And What Science Now Says About Global Warming, Robert Kates Jan 2000

“The Skeptics Agenda” And What Science Now Says About Global Warming, Robert Kates

Maine Policy Review

In the Margaret Chase Smith essay, Robert Kates discusses global climate change. He notes that there is no longer any doubt that global warming is occurring, caused most likely by increased greenhouse gasses. Costs of preventing warming are mixed, and appropriate timing of such efforts is unknown, but there is no doubt that societal attention is needed for adaptation.


Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Land Use Regulatory Commission, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson Jan 1994

Regulatory Updates: Maine Public Utilities Commission, Land Use Regulatory Commission, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.


Why Include Eternalities?, Jonathan Raab Jan 1993

Why Include Eternalities?, Jonathan Raab

Maine Policy Review

"Externalities" are costs imposed on third parties without compensation. Pollution is the archetypical externality. It is the pollution externality that has prompted the emerging national debate over whether public utility regulation should be modified to account for externalities. Jonathan Raab and two other authors [Freeman, Townsend, this issue] discuss the arguments surrounding the externality debate. These three authors earlier presented similar material at a Legislative Institute, sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment, for the Utilities Committee of the Maine State Legislature.


Are Adders Right For Maine?, Ralph E. Townsend Jan 1993

Are Adders Right For Maine?, Ralph E. Townsend

Maine Policy Review

"Externalities" are costs imposed on third parties without compensation. Pollution is the archetypical externality. It is the pollution externality that has prompted the emerging national debate over whether public utility regulation should be modified to account for externalities. Ralph Townsend and two other authors [Raab, Freeman, this issue] discuss the arguments surrounding the externality debate. These three authors earlier presented similar material at a Legislative Institute, sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment, for the Utilities Committee of the Maine State Legislature.


Appropriate Environmental Adders, A. Myrick Freeman Iii Jan 1993

Appropriate Environmental Adders, A. Myrick Freeman Iii

Maine Policy Review

"Externalities" are costs imposed on third parties without compensation. Pollution is the archetypical externality. It is the pollution externality that has prompted the emerging national debate over whether public utility regulation should be modified to account for externalities. Myrick Freeman and two other authors [Raab, Townsend, this issue] discuss the arguments surrounding the externality debate. These three authors earlier presented similar material at a Legislative Institute, sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy's Project for the Study of Regulation and the Environment, for the Utilities Committee of the Maine State Legislature.


The Trinity Of Transmission Issues: Siting, Access And Pricing, Ashley Brown Jan 1993

The Trinity Of Transmission Issues: Siting, Access And Pricing, Ashley Brown

Maine Policy Review

Ashley Brown is not only a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, he is also one of the most widely-respected authorities in the U.S. today on the regulation of electric utilities. He is particularly known for his vocal efforts to forge a more cooperative state-federal relationship in electrical regulation. This article is an edited excerpt from his keynote address at the PURE '93 Conference.


Understanding The Clean Air Act: Implementation Issues For Electric Utilities, Susan E. Dudley Jan 1993

Understanding The Clean Air Act: Implementation Issues For Electric Utilities, Susan E. Dudley

Maine Policy Review

With the creation of tradable sulfur dioxide permits under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, financial markets have been drawn into the effort to achieve targeted air pollution reductions at least cost. As Susan Dudley explains, financial markets will go well beyond simply providing a place to buy and sell permits. These markets will create a variety of "futures" contracts that will enable utilities to manage the risks of planning future strategies to control pollution.


Climate Change Policy: Mixing Politics And Uncertainty, Dean Marriott Jan 1993

Climate Change Policy: Mixing Politics And Uncertainty, Dean Marriott

Maine Policy Review

Global climate change has garnered some media attention, but has failed to gather the attention of most governmental decision makers and the public. In an effort to advance concerns about the issue, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers sponsored a three-day symposium on climate change last May 19-21 in Portland. At the symposium, scientists and public officials from both the U.S. and Canada explored the science of climate change, the potential implications and impact of climate change on this region, and the possible policy responses. Dean Marriott [and James Bruce and Mark Victor, this issue] reflecting the breadth …


Canadian Provincial Perspective On Climate Change, Mark Victor Jan 1993

Canadian Provincial Perspective On Climate Change, Mark Victor

Maine Policy Review

Global climate change has garnered some media attention, but has failed to gather the attention of most governmental decision makers and the public. In an effort to advance concerns about the issue, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers sponsored a three-day symposium on climate change last May 19-21 in Portland. At the symposium, scientists and public officials from both the U.S. and Canada explored the science of climate change, the potential implications and impact of climate change on this region, and the possible policy responses. Mark Victor [and James Bruce and Dean Marriot, this issue] reflecting the breadth …


Regional Response Options To Global Climate Change, James P. Bruce Jan 1993

Regional Response Options To Global Climate Change, James P. Bruce

Maine Policy Review

Global climate change has garnered some media attention, but has failed to gather the attention of most governmental decision makers and the public. In an effort to advance concerns about the issue, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers sponsored a three-day symposium on climate change last May 19-21 in Portland. At the symposium, scientists and public officials from both the U.S. and Canada explored the science of climate change, the potential implications and impact of climate change on this region, and the possible policy responses. James Bruce [and Dean Marriott and Mark Victor, this issue] reflecting the breadth …


Regulatory Updates, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson Jan 1993

Regulatory Updates, Ralph Townsend, Ruth Robinson

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.


Bridging The Gap Between Energy And The Environment, John Flumerfelt Jan 1993

Bridging The Gap Between Energy And The Environment, John Flumerfelt

Maine Policy Review

Energy and environmental policies have always been intertwined, but the exact nature of those interrelationships is often difficult for the non-technical reader to understand. In an analysis that was originally included in an appendix of the Report of the Maine Commission on Comprehensive Energy Planning, the former director of Maine's Office of Energy, John Flumerfelt, provides a clear and concise graphical summary of the relation between energy use and air pollution in Maine. His presentation frames the issues in ways that identify important energy and environmental questions for the state.


Upcoming At The Regulatory Commissions, Linda Wood, Ralph Townsend Jan 1991

Upcoming At The Regulatory Commissions, Linda Wood, Ralph Townsend

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.