Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York were named the three lowest emitters of CO2 per unit of economic output this month by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The announcement was made in conjunction with the release by the Environmental Protection Agency of new rules designed to encourage states nationwide to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions related to energy production.
Two other eastern states, New Hampshire and Vermont, were also cited for their clean energy policies. The unusually low emissions by the Northeastern states were credited to a voluntary regional system of cap and trade that eight Northeast and mid-Atlantic states have been experimenting with for several years. Such voluntary compacts are being considered as a model for plans being formulated to lower emissions from power plants nationwide by one third between now and 2030.
