May 2008 In this edition New Maine law requires limits on carbon pollution from coal plants Massachusetts gets green light for wind power In wake of CLF report, Vermont legislators pass bill to crack down on polluters Top Stories New Maine law requires limits on carbon pollution from coal plants Maine Gov. John Baldacci last month signed into law a bill that paves the way for adoption of the nation's first limits on carbon dioxide emissions from coal gasification power plants and refineries. The new law also imposes a three-year moratorium on licensing of such plants until the new regulations are developed. The bill closes a major loophole in state law that would have allowed increased and unlimited emissions of carbon dioxide - the primary pollutant that causes global warming- from coal gasification plants. "The Governor's wind power task force set us on a path toward a cleaner energy future and the coal gasification bill ensures we stay on track by avoiding new sources of carbon dioxide pollution," noted Steve Hinchman, CLF senior attorney. More: CLF press release Wiscasset Newspaper   NStar Massachusetts gets green light for wind power A new program that will provide Massachusetts’ 1.4 million NSTAR customers with the option to buy clean, renewable energy has been approved by the state’s Department of Public Utilities. The program, dubbed NSTAR Green, will allow residential customers to purchase half or all of their electric supply from wind farms in the Northeast. “Millions of Massachusetts residents will now have the option to support the development of clean, renewable energy in New England,” said Sue Reid, CLF’s Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Change. More: CLF press release Boston Globe article Watch Sue Reid on NECN! In Wake of CLF Report, VT Legislators Pass Bill to Crack Down on Polluters The Vermont General Assembly last month gave its final approval to a bill that will significantly strengthen the state's enforcement of environmental laws. The bill increases penalties for environmental polluters and gives authorities enhanced power to ensure fines are paid on time. The bill comes a year after CLF’s Vermont office issued a first-of-its-kind report detailing lax enforcement of environmental laws by the state. "The health and quality of Vermont's land, air and water depends on strong enforcement of environmental laws" said Anthony Iarrapino, staff attorney CLF’s Vermont Advocacy Center. "This legislation gives environmental regulators more muscle to hold polluters accountable when they foul our water and air, abuse our natural resources, or endanger the public health." More: CLF Press Release CLF’s Vermont Environmental Enforcement Progress Report  * Do you have an idea, research results or case study you would like to share with the coastal and estuarine habitat restoration community? Send a proposal for a poster session at the 4th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration, and enter the Student Poster Contest. The Conference will bring timely national attention to the challenges to and opportunities for comprehensive coastal ecosystem restoration and will address all aspects of coastal and estuarine habitat restoration, in all habitats and at all scales. October 11-15, 2008 Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence Are you a member of CLF? Click here to join! Tell a friend! Click here to unsubscribe from CLF E-News >> Give to CLF   >> Press Center >> Publications >> Events   >> Tell a friend! >> Check us out on Flickr News from the around the states!  MA: On Earth Day, Two Major Boston Law Firms Join the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge Biolab follies In midst of financial crunch, hike in gas tax lingers as one option RI: Wind farm gathers steam RI Bill Aims to Cut Global Warming Pollution 80% by 2050 VT: Senate’s housing bill would alleviate shortage NH: John Milne: On I-93, taxes, Lynch lays groundwork for campaign Stuck on I-93; Lynch, conservation group still at odds ME: Bush sets target date for emission cuts States hoping to force action on emissions

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