Maine Enacts Climate Change Law

Maine made history in June, when, by passing “An Act to Provide Leadership in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change,” it became the nation’s

first state to legislate a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Maine plans to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 75–80% below 1990 levels over the long term. The law also requires the state to inventory and reduce emissions from programs and facilities they fund and to initiate at least 50 partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations to reduce carbon emissions.