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Maine has not done that with any of the $23.5 million it's netted over the last two years of participating in the auction of carbon credits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In fact, 100 percent of RGGI funds are used for energy efficiency projects.
But the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Paul LePage has not ruled out using the money. Spokesman Dan Demeritt says the governor wants to talk to experts on the issue.
And one state legislator says that there is nothing in the law to prevent the money from being used for other purposes.
"It was the intent of the Legislature when RGGI was set up that they wouldn't be used to dig ourselves of a budget hole. But that's not the case--what I mean is, they're available," says Jim Hamper, a Republican state representative who sat on the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee, and hopes to be named chair next year.
Hamper says that a bill had been proposed to protect the money from being diverted, but was dropped when it appeared that the federal government was going to take up cap-and-trade. That effort has since faltered.
Hamper says he has his own take on what should happen to the money. "I would stay with the intent of the Legislature which is for the RGGI funds to be used as intended--you know, for energy efficiencies and that sort of thing."
David Littell is a state public utilities commissioner who chairs the RGGI board of directors. He says he'll work with the new administration and Legislature on however they decide to proceed with the RGGI money.
But the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Paul LePage has not ruled out using the money. Spokesman Dan Demeritt says the governor wants to talk to experts on the issue.
And one state legislator says that there is nothing in the law to prevent the money from being used for other purposes.
"It was the intent of the Legislature when RGGI was set up that they wouldn't be used to dig ourselves of a budget hole. But that's not the case--what I mean is, they're available," says Jim Hamper, a Republican state representative who sat on the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee, and hopes to be named chair next year.
Hamper says that a bill had been proposed to protect the money from being diverted, but was dropped when it appeared that the federal government was going to take up cap-and-trade. That effort has since faltered.
Hamper says he has his own take on what should happen to the money. "I would stay with the intent of the Legislature which is for the RGGI funds to be used as intended--you know, for energy efficiencies and that sort of thing."
David Littell is a state public utilities commissioner who chairs the RGGI board of directors. He says he'll work with the new administration and Legislature on however they decide to proceed with the RGGI money.
But he stressed the program's success. "The proceeds have been very effectively deployed to maintain jobs in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and to help our businesses and our industry maintain their competitive edge."
RGGI money has gone to 19 energy-efficiency programs, including $7.1 million for large-scale projects, such as the installation of a new heat exchanger at Madison Paper.
RGGI money has gone to 19 energy-efficiency programs, including $7.1 million for large-scale projects, such as the installation of a new heat exchanger at Madison Paper.
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