Initial Tasks and Projected Completion

Learning Phase Tasks (Months 0-6)

1. Sharing of State Experiences. (Due September 26, 2003). Each state's environmental representative will provide the Staff Working Group with a short briefing on that state's recent legislative, regulatory and administrative initiatives relating to the control of GHG emissions. To the extent applicable, the briefings shall include electronic copies of or links to websites for currently available reports, legislation, rules and other related information.
   
   
2. Scheduling of Targeted Expert Briefings. (Due October 31, 2003). Schedule briefings for the Staff Working Group by outside expert sources that are focused on issues related to program design for a multi-state GHG cap-and-trade program for power plants. NY and CT will work together to schedule expert briefings on Development Phase 1 topic areas (identified below) before the end of April 2004. Expert briefings on Development Phase 2 topics (identified below) shall take place after the briefings on Phase 1 topics have been completed.
   
   
3. Define State Legal Mechanisms for Action. (Due September 29, 2003). Each state's environmental representative will report to the Staff Working Group any issues associated with state mechanisms for action prior to the due date. VT will coordinate the work of state representatives on this task.

Development Phase 1 Tasks (Months 0-20)

1. Data Gathering and Technical Analysis. (Plan Due December 31, 2003). The Subgroup assigned to this task will propose a plan for data gathering and technical analysis. The plan shall include an assessment of what data and analysis will be required, how that gathering and analysis will be accomplished, and when. CT will lead the Subgroup, which will also consist of representatives from NH, NJ and NY.
   
   
2. Development of Model Rule. (Outline Due December 31, 2003). The Subgroup on model rule development shall propose a model rule outline for consideration by the Working Group, and identify policy decisions that must be made prior to completion of the model rule. MA will lead the Subgroup also consisting of representatives from NH, NJ and NY.
   
   
3. Stakeholder Process. (Plan Due October 31, 2003). The Subgroup on the stakeholder process shall draft a proposed plan for receiving, organizing and responding to input from stakeholders. NJ will lead the Subgroup also consisting of NH, NY and DE.
   
   
4. Monitor NESCAUM Registry Efforts. (Ongoing). Each state's representatives are charged with closely monitoring the efforts of the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) in designing a regional GHG registry, with the goal of harmonizing the two efforts to facilitate possible future integration or interaction.
   
   
5. Energy Modeling (Plan Due February 29, 2004). The Subgroup assigned to this task will design and implement a modeling plan to quantitatively estimate the energy and environmental impacts of a regional carbon cap in the region and each state. The Subgroup will work closely with the Technical Data & Analysis Subgroup and the Staff Working Group to develop necessary model inputs, a base case scenario, and potential carbon cap scenarios for modeling. NY will lead the Subgroup also consisting of NJ, MA and CT.
   
   
6. Economic Cost & Benefit Analysis. (Plan Due December 31, 2003). The Subgroup responsible for economic cost and benefit analysis shall be responsible for (a) the assessment of the need for data gathering and analysis (in cooperation with the Data Gathering Subgroup); and the (b) development of a plan for assessment of costs and benefits of the program. MA will the lead the Subgroup made up of CT, NJ and NY.
   
   
7. Website Development. (Proposal Due October 31, 2003). The Subgroup on website development will develop a proposal for building a website for the effort. NY will lead the Subgroup with the help of NJ.

Initial Development Phase 1 proposals will specify a schedule for completing sub-tasks. Proposals will be designed to accomplish overall Phase 1 development work within the first 20 months (April 2005) of the effort.

Development Phase 2 Tasks (Commencing Approximately Month 6)

Subgroup leaders and members for the Phase 2 tasks will be identified upon commencement of work on Phase 2 tasks. Phase 2 tasks will be accomplished on a staggered but partially concurrent schedule with Phase 1 tasks, commencing at the end of month 6 of the effort.

1. Development of Offset Requirements. After development of the cap and trade program covering power sector emissions, a Subgroup will be formed to design one or more offset components for the program.
   
   
2. Possible Future Program Extensions. The Working Group may consider potential ways to expand the cap-and-trade program to include sources other than power plants. The Working Group may also consider other policies or programs that will facilitate implementation of the cap and trade program.