Opponents Opponents of the proposed coal gasification plant in Wiscasset joined Governor John Baldacci Tuesday afternoon in his office to sign the bill requiring a three-year moratorium.

Gov. John Baldacci signed a law Tuesday 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.

This puts a hold on the Twin Rivers Energy Center proposed by Point East for the Town of Wiscasset

According to Scott Houldin, principal of Point East, the state's action should have been more inclusive.

"We would have expected the State and environmental groups to evaluate all CO2 producing power generation and other industrial facilities to truly have meaningful impacts on global warming. While we were surprised the target of the bill was a single technology (coal gasification), we respect the State of Maine's position to take a long view and have the DEP formulate CO2 standards. The bottom line is that Maine will need to move forward quickly with the implementation of innovative solutions if it is to effectively address New England's energy crisis in a meaningful and timely manner."

"If Maine wants to retain our reputation as a leader in the fight against global warming it is critical we set effective carbon dioxide emission limits for coal gasification plants," said the bill's sponsor, Representative Bruce MacDonald. "This is a common-sense step forward to stabilize the changes in climate that threaten Maine's coastline, forests, mountains and communities."

Environmental and community groups applauded the Governor and Legislature saying 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. That loophole would have opened the door for the Twin River Energy Center, a proposed coal gasification and diesel refinery in the coastal town of Wiscasset. If constructed, Twin River would have instantly become Maine's largest source of global warming pollution.

"The science is clear—to avoid the disastrous impacts of climate change we must focus on the solutions that will deliver the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," said Conservation Law Foundation staff attorney Steve Hinchman. "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."

The new emissions limits, to be developed by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection, will also require coal gasification plants to reduce emissions through effective carbon capture and sequestration - a technology currently unproven in New England that could eventually involve capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions in underground crevices and passages instead of releasing them into the atmosphere.

"This is not just a victory for the Mid-Coast but a big victory for Maine and a huge victory for the environment," said Willy Ritch, President of the Back River Alliance, the community group that led the opposition to the proposed plant. We should all be proud that once again Maine is showing a leadership role by passing this landmark legislation.'

"Without limitations on carbon dioxide, new coal power plants will have an immediate and harmful impact on the public health and sustainability of communities throughout Maine," said Harris Parnell, Director of Maine's Toxics Action Center

In 2007, in a major setback for the proposed Twin River Energy Center, Wiscasset voters rejected a zoning ordinance for the project but developers have said they plan to push forward regardless. Making electricity from coal through gasification or combustion emits 45 percent more carbon dioxide than natural gas, and 22 percent more than oil to create the same amount of energy. The proposed plant would have emitted 5.2 million tons of carbon dioxide per year - which is greater than all other electrical power plants in Maine combined, and almost double the emissions of any other polluter in the state. Diesel from the proposed plant would release twice as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as diesel made from petroleum.

"The Town of Edgecomb applauds the Carbon Dioxide Emission Control legislation achieved through the good offices of Representative Bruce MacDonald," said Jo Cameron, Chairwoman of the Town Select board. "This bill will go far to protect our beautiful rivers and their abundant fisheries from devastating pollution."

"The proposed coal gasification and diesel refinery in Wiscasset would have released - with no limits set by the state - millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the air, not to mention substantial amounts of mercury and other toxins," said Norma Dreyfus of the Back River Alliance. "With what we now know about climate change and the contribution of carbon intensive fossil fuels, especially coal, we should not be building new carbon intensive facilities unless and until we are able to capture and sequester that CO2."