Mass., other states, take anti-carbon step

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Top environmental officials in 11 Northeast states, including Massachusetts, have signed an agreement to develop a regional low carbon fuel standard for vehicles.

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles said Tuesday the agreement between the 10 member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative plus Pennsylvania will cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, as well as spur development of clean energy technologies.

A low carbon fuel standard would set a ceiling on the average amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the development and burning of fuels on a per unit of fuel basis. The standard would be applied to all potential motor vehicle fuels, including electricity and bio-based fuels.

California was the first state to commit to such a standard, which is under development.

The states that signed the letter of intent—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont—have agreed to participate in analyzing low carbon fuel supplies and develop a framework for a low carbon standard in the region. Under the agreement, the states must draft a memorandum of understanding concerning the low carbon fuel standard program to be approved by the states’ governors by Dec. 31.