An Act To Fight Global Warming Effects in the State

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §350  is enacted to read:

§ 350.  Assessment reports

The department shall release biennially an extensive assessment report on emissions data in the State. The report must estimate the emission reductions from the State’s clean energy programs, incorporating those reductions into air quality programs, and evaluate and report on the emission reduction benefits of the clean energy programs and policies.

Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §441, sub-§4  is enacted to read:

Sec. 3. Appliance standards. The Public Utilities Commission shall adopt rules establishing minimum efficiency standards for sale and installation of appliances not covered under federal standards. For the purpose of this section, the appliances not covered under federal law are dry-type transformers, commercial refrigerators and freezers, exit signs, traffic signals, torchiere lamps, set-top boxes, unit heaters and commercial washers. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 4. Request federal waiver. The Department of Environmental Protection shall apply for a federal waiver before 2009 to enact the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Draft Rules Chapter 127, “New Motor Vehicle Emission Standards Regulation 2005-202, Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Emission Standards.” The department shall provide reports to the Legislature by April 15, 2008 regarding its progress in applying for and securing the waiver.

Sec. 5. Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Protection shall together examine and evaluate the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions data available and develop a report to assist in incorporating that data into decision-making alternatives concerning state policy and rules in those departments.

Sec. 6. Pay-as-you-drive pilot programs. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance is directed to review pilot programs of pay-as-you-drive insurance in other states and establish a pilot program in this State that would base a vehicle’s premiums on how much it is driven. The bureau shall provide reports to the Legislature by April 15, 2008 regarding its progress in the program in the State.

summary

This bill does the following to fight global warming effects in the State:

1. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to report biennially on emissions and emissions reduction in the State and it directs the department to apply for a federal waiver to enact its draft rules concerning new motor vehicle emission standards.

2. It requires code enforcement officers to attend any training sessions about energy efficiency that are created by the United States Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

3. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules establishing minimum efficiency standards for sale and installation of appliances not covered under federal standards.

4. It requires the Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Protection to examine and evaluate the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions in the State for incorporation into decision-making alternatives.