Legislation and Agreements
Reports
Application and Technical Support Documents for Offset Projects
Carbon Sequestration
Reforestation
Improved Forest Management
Avoided Conversion
Verifier Forms
Additional Resources
Research on RGGI and Electricity in Maryland
This report and its addendum were prepared for RGGI by the University of Virginia, Resources for the Future and California Institute of Technology. The research analyzed a variety of auction types and mechanisms to inform RGGI during the initial design of the CO2 emissions allowance auctions. These documents are an excellent resource to illuminate the reasoning behind many of the design elements that were incorporated into RGGI's auction process.
This report was commissioned by Maryland to study the economic and environmental impacts of RGGI. The University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research (CIER) conducted the analysis. The report examined the effects of different levels of public sector energy efficiency spending on factors such as electricity demand, electricity prices, profits for power generators and generator competitiveness. For a peer-reviewed journal article on this study, see Paul et al., 2008 (below). The CIER
Phase I report examined the potential economic and energy impacts of Maryland joining RGGI.
This report from a RGGI working group analyzed the potential for the RGGi program to create a market that favors increased imported electricity generated by unregulated sources outside of the RGGI program, resulting in more production by "dirtier" energy generation sources such as coal, and no net decrease in overall CO2 emissions. Recommendations were made regarding tracking and mitigating leakage.
Part I addresses trends since RGGI's launch that demonstrate success in reducing emissions, fostering a clean energy transition and supporting regional economic growth. Part II discusses how potential changes considered for the 2016 Program Review could improve RGGI's role in achieving state-level climate commitments and encourage the development of effective carbon policy under EPA's Clean Power Plan.
This biennial report from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Power Plant Research Program describes the impacts of power plant generation, transmission and use in Maryland on the State's natural resources. Previous reports and additional information on the program's activities may be found on its
website.
This report was commissioned by MDE and produced by Towson University and Resources for the Future. It evaluates how changes in Maryland's RGGI allowance allocation rules could reduce emissions leakage in nearby states that aren't covered by the RGGI cap.
The following peer-reviewed articles are available subject to the terms of the journal in which they are published. Links to the abstract are provided and the full text is typically available through purchase of a journal subscription or individual article. You may also check your local library or school for access.
Summary: A review of the energy and economic implications of CO2 cap-and-trade programs at the regional level, using Maryland's decision to join RGGI as an example. The paper discusses the implications for technology choice, generation capacity, energy reliability and ratepayer costs.
Summary: A peer-reviewed version of the CIER study listed above, this article considers various contribution options (35%, 50% and 100% of the auction proceeds) to energy efficiency measures and the economic consequences of increased spending.
Summary: A review of the economic impact of RGGI's first control period found a net economic benefit of $1.6 billion across all TGGI states. The authors also address lessons learned from RGGI that may be applied as best-practice program elements in other regional programs.
Summary: This study attempts to quantify and separate emissions reductions due to RGGI from those due to other factors such as overall reduced consumption during the recession and the low price of natural gas.
