An Act To Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change LR 1221(02)
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0845
Committee Amendment CA_A_H262 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "if'-
Act To Provide Leadership in 
Change" 
to H.P. 622, L.D. 845, Bill, "An 
Addressing the Threat of Climate 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting 
clause and before the summary and inserting in its place the 
following: 
-Sec. 1. 38 MRSA c. 3-A is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 3-A 
CLIMATE CHARGE 
§574. 
Definitions 
As 
used 
in this 
chapter, 
unless 
the 
context 
otherwise 
indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. 
1. 
Greenhouse gas. 
"Greenhouse gas" means any chemical or 
physical substance that is emitted into the air and that the 
department determines by rule may reasonably be anticipated to 
cause 
or 
contribute 
to 
climate 
change. 
"Greenhouse 
gas" 
includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous 
oxide, 
hydrofluorocarbons, 
perfluorocarbons 
and 
sulfur 
hexafluoride. 
Rules adopted by the department pursuant to this 
subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
2. 
Sector. 
"Sector" means one of the 5 sectors identified 
in the climate change action plan adopted by the Conference of 
New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August 
200l. 
The 
sectors 
are 
the 
transportation, 
industriaL 
commercial, institutional and residential sectors. 
Page l-LR1221(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~CG~ 
~. 
CO .... ITTEE AMENDMENT "~,, to H.P. 622. L.D. 845 
§575. 
Lead-by-example initiative 
The department shall establish a lead-by-example initiative 
under which the department shall: 
1. 
Greenhouse 
gas 
emissions 
invento~ for 
state-owned 
facilities and state-funded programs. 
Create an inventory of 
greenhouse gas emissions associated with state-owned facilities 
and state-funded programs and create a plan for reducing those 
emissions to below 1990 levels by 2010; 
2. 
Carbon emission reduction. 
By January 1, 2006, seek to 
establish carbon emission reduction agreements with at least 50 
businesses and nonprofit organizations; 
3. 
Hew 
England greenhouse registry. 
Participate in a 
regional effort to develop and adopt a greenhouse gas registry 
that includes 3rd-party verification: and 
4. 
Statewide greenhouse gas emissions invento~. Create an 
annual statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. 
§576. 
Reduction goals 
The State's goals for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions 
within the State are as follows: 
1. 
Reduction by 2010. 
In the short termr reduction to 1990 
levels by January 1, 2010: 
2. 
Reduction by 2020. 
In the medium term, reduction to 10% 
below 1990 levels by January 1, 2020; and 
3. 
Long-te~ reduction. 
In 
the 
long 
termr 
reduction 
sufficient to eliminate any dangerous threat to the climate. 
To 
accomplish this goal, reduction to 75% to 80% below 2003 levels 
may be reguired. 
§577. 
Climate action plan 
By 
July 
1, 
2004, 
the 
department. 
with 
input 
from 
stakeholders, shall adopt a state climate action plan to meet the 
reduction goals specified in section 576. 
The action plan must 
address reductiQn in each sectQr in cQst-effective ways and must 
allow 
sustainably 
managed 
forestry, 
agricultural 
and 
other 
natural resource activities to be used to seguester greenhouse 
gas emissions. 
The department shall submit the action plan to 
the 
joint 
standing 
committee 
Qf 
the 
Legislature 
having 
jurisdiction over natural resources matters. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
fr'~ 
~ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. If: to H.P. 622, L.D. 845 
§578. 
Progress evaluation 
By 
January 
1, 
2006 
and 
by 
that 
date 
every 
years 
thereafter, the department shall evaluate the State's progress 
toward meeting the reduction goals specified in section 576 and 
shall amend the action plan as necessary to ensure that the State 
can meet the reduction goals. 
Starting no earlier than January 
1, 
2008, 
the department may 
recommend to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural 
resources matters that the reduction goals specified in section 
be increased or decreased.' 
SUMMARY 
This 
amendment 
is 
the 
report 
of 
a 
majority 
of 
the 
committee. 
The 
amendment 
replaces 
the bill. 
The 
amendment 
directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a 
greenhouse gas emissions inventory for state-owned facilities and 
state-funded programs; 
to 
seek 
to establish carbon emission 
reduction agreements with businesses and nonprofit organizations; 
to participate in a 
regional greenhouse gas registry; and to 
create an annual statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. 
The 
amendment 
also 
sets 
state 
short-term, 
medium-term 
and 
long-term goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions 
within the State. 
The 
amendment directs 
the 
Department 
of 
Environmental Protection to adopt a state climate action plan by 
July 
1, 
2004 
and 
directs 
the 
Department 
of 
Environmental 
Protection to evaluate, 
every 
years, 
the State's progress 
toward meeting the reduction goals and to amend the action plan 
as necessary to ensure that the State can meet the reduction 
goals. 
Beginning 
no 
earlier 
than 
2008, 
the 
Department 
of 
Environmental Protection may 
recommend· to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural 
resources 
matters 
that the 
reduction goals .be 
increased or 
decreased. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/10/03 .?dac:.. 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD845 
An Act To Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate 
Change 
LR 1221(02) 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" " 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
LR1221(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1