Study: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative spurs economic development

A multi-state agreement to control carbon dioxide emissions from power plants generates $1.4 billion in economic benefits over the past 2 years. That’s according to a study of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has lowered CO2 production and increased pollution costs in 9 states, including Delaware and Maryland.

The report says since its start in 2009, RGGI related activities have created over 44,000 job-years, and cap-and-trade auctions generated $4 billion in spending across the participating states. In the same time, CO2 emissions from power plants has dropped by 50%; profits decreased for conventional power plants, but increased for nuclear plants.