The Northeast initiative that includes Connecticut wants the federal government to consider it as the model for reducing greenhouse gas pollution from power plants.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that RGGI should be the model as EPA figures out develops guidelines for state programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants under Clean Air Act.
RGGI claims it has reduced carbon emission in its area by 40 percent and contributed to economic growth as polluting power plants are required to contribute funds toward state energy programs.
The initiative is made up of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Delaware. New Jersey used to participate in the program but dropped out in 2011.