BOSTON—Gov. Deval Patrick, making good on a high-profile campaign promise, today acted to move Massachusetts back into a regional global warming plan rejected by former Gov. Mitt Romney in December, 2005. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, referred to as “RGGI,” creates a regional cap-and-trade market designed to limit global warming pollution emitted by power plants.

During today’s press conference, Gov. Patrick committed to requiring that power plant owners pay through an auction for the right to emit global warming pollution under the cap.

“This is a bold first move for Gov. Patrick, and he gets credit for moving to protect both consumers and the environment,” said Frank Gorke of MASSPIRG. “It’s crucial that we are getting this step right, as the first of many toward a climate-friendly future.”

“Gov. Patrick has made the right move supporting 100% sale of the emissions permits to electricity generators, with the funds used for energy efficiency programs and other consumer benefits,” said Marc Breslow, Director of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network. “Doing so will set a vital precedent that policies to halt global warming can protect consumers while requiring polluters to pay for the damage they cause.”

Experience in Europe with a similar program shows that power producers will obtain billions of dollars in windfall profits if they receive their permits for free, at the expense of both business and household consumers of electricity.

“The governor’s announcement is in accord with a bill sponsored by the co-Chairs of the Environment Committee that would set up auctions for 100% of the pollution permits,” said Cindy Luppi of Clean Water Action. ”It’s the best way to protect both consumers and the environment.”

“The only way to curb global warming is through bold, decisive action and today Governor Patrick delivered just that by joining RGGI and going a step further to strengthen our commitment,” said CLF President Phil Warburg. “Investing the auction proceeds in energy efficiency programs delivers much-needed savings to consumers, and polluters will have a real incentive to clean up their act.”

“Electricity generators - most of which are out-of-state corporations - and some short-sighted business voices may resist. But when it comes to climate change, the most costly thing we could do is nothing, and Governor Patrick’s announcement today shows he understands that,” said Ned Raynolds, Northeast Climate Policy Coordinator for the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“The Mass Climate Coalition looks forward to working with the Patrick administration to continue making progress on global warming,” said Nancy Goodman of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “Signing onto the regional plan would be complemented by further efforts to move towards renewable energy and energy efficiency. And in order to hit our state’s targets for reducing global warming pollution, we’re going to have to look beyond power plants and seriously address pollution from transportation and buildings as well.”

"What a breath of fresh air to switch from our previous governor who walked away from the climate crisis altogether to Governor Patrick, who is already making concrete progress on combating global warming," added Brian Thurber, Clean Water Action's Energy Coordinator. " Massachusetts is usually a regional and national leader on air pollution and energy issues -- it's nice to be back in the game."

"The governor's signing on to the regional plan today reflects the sea change in public concern about global warming," said Rev. Fred Small, Co-chair of Religious Witness for the Earth. "People understand the gravity of the danger. You hear it every day in our churches, synagogues, and temples as well as on the street. It's wonderful to have a governor who gets it, too."

“In the Salem area, Healthlink has worked to protect public health by reducing threats from power plant pollution, and we applaud Governor Patrick for his announcement today,” said Jane Bright of Healthlink. “Global warming is a huge threat to our health and economy, and everyone involved, including our legislators, should be involved in making this happen as quickly as possible.”