New Hampshire Emissions reductions from Power Plants

In January 2002, an amendment to HB 284, the New Hampshire Clean Power Act, passed by the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The law was signed by the Governor of New Hampshire in May 2002. HB 284 addresses emissions of four important air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury, and carbon dioxide (CO2). HB 284 "caps" emissions from Public Service of New Hampshires (PSNHs) power plants. These caps are annual (i.e., they apply all year round, not just in the summer ozone season), and they are "output-based," which encourages more efficient generation than traditional "input-based" regulation. In addition, emissions trading (i.e., the ability to comply with reduction requirements by purchasing reductions made elsewhere if doing so is more cost-effective) is allowed for SO2, NOx, and CO2. The law requires that carbon dioxide emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by the end of 2006. This change aligns the target for carbon reductions with those of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan, adopted in August 2001.

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