Global Warming Evidence

Blind Spot: The Big Three's Attack on the Global Warming Treaty

07/29/2011

Environmental Working Group. 1997.

The Economic Impact of RGGI On Massachusetts

05/13/2011

Environment Northeast. March 2010.

“RGGI Benefits to Date for Massachusetts Electricity Consumers” shows that electricity costs in Massachusetts have actually fallen since the implementation of the RGGI program. The program has raised $55.7 million for investment in energy efficiency programs that cut costs and create jobs (2, 418 of them in 2009 alone).

RGGI Saves Money, Jobs

03/16/2011

Eric de Place. Grist. March 16, 2011.

“Regional cap-and-trade saves jobs and money” analyzes the contents of a recent RGGI press release, which trumpets the program’s most recent carbon auction (bringing in $83 million). Most of the money was spent on energy efficiency or job retention and creation programs. Specific states examples are given, with specific cost savings and job creation and retention numbers listed.

RGGI's Economic Impact on New Hampshire (PDF)

02/01/2011

Ross Gittell. Carbon Solutions. February 2011.

“Overview of NH RGGI Results for 2009 & 2010” finds that the “economic impact” of New Hampshire’s participation in the RGGI program has been overwhelming positive. The study finds that NH’s overall position in the national economy was not harmed by participation. “RGGI did not harm NH’s overall economic competitiveness” and no major employer has left the state as a result.

Climate Change Policy Can Lead To Growth (PDF)

06/01/2010

Eban Goodstein, Kristen Sheeran, Peter Dorman, John Laitner, Jonathan Isham. Economics for Equity & Enviroment. June 2010.

“Climate Policy and Jobs: An Update on What Economists Know” shows that addressing climate change can lead to growth, even in the teeth of counterpressures (like worldwide recession), and that climate legislation is not a job killer. Short, sweet, and to the point. Many of the reports referenced in this fact sheet are included at length below.

How and Why RGGI Works

03/23/2010

Sean Pool. Climate Progress. March 23, 2010.

"The Proof is in the Pudding" provides a thorough introduction to the largest carbon pricing system currently operating in the U.S. The northeastern Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Pool notes that RGGI’s current carbon price is too low to dramatically affect regional energy habits. Low prices do little to steer industry away from status quo dirty energy sources, while limiting clean energy investment opportunities. But even the relatively small amount of revenue generated by the auctions ($583 million at publication) allows for expanded government investment.

Grading RGGI's Success (PDF)

02/01/2010

Environmental Northeast. February 2010.

“RGGI At One Year” evaluates the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (the first carbon cap-and-trade program in the U.S.). The authors provide a series of grades for the policy’s first year in action. Five features of the program are graded: Auctions, Funding, Implementation, Offsets, Cap Level, and Governance. The study finds that the program has been very successful (with minimal effects on consumer prices thus far). But regional emissions dropped 25-35 percent in 2009 (partially due to the recession), further proving the program’s success.

RGGI Works--And It Isn't Bad For Business

11/12/2009

Eric de Place. Sightline Daily. November 12, 2009.

“How Carbon Markets Work in RGGI” breaks down a recent study by Potomac Economics (PE), which shows that RGGI has been well run and, as a result, has functioned quite well too (“we find no evidence of anticompetitive conduct”). The PE report is really deep in the weeds, and it helps to have a readable expert walk the audience through the highlights.

Climate Change Legislation Wouldn't Be A Job Killer (PDF)

10/01/2009

John Laitner. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. October 2009.

"Climate Change Policy as an Economic Redevelopment Opportunity: The Role of Productive Investments in Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions” is an analysis of the impact climate change legislation would have on jobs. Laitner’s research report “is designed to set the record straight about the long-term economic impacts of cap-and-trade legislation.”

The Enormous Potential of Clean Energy Investments

06/18/2009

Robert Pollin, James Heintz, and Hedidi Garrett-Peltier. The Center for American Progress. June 18, 2009.

“The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy” was published after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but before the legislative failure of a carbon emissions cap and trade program in the 111th Congress. The authors consider what might happen if both bills were signed into law, resulting in an annual $150 billion in clean energy investments over the next 10 years (partially through public investments, but mostly through incentives and subsidies for private investors).

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