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<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1206" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions">
  <text>In developing and implementing the plans required by § 2–1205 of this subtitle, the Department shall:</text>
  <level label="1">
    <text>Analyze the feasibility of measures to comply with the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by this subtitle;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="2">
    <text>Consider the impact on rural communities of any transportation related measures proposed in the plans;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="3">
    <text>Provide that a greenhouse gas emissions source that voluntarily reduces its greenhouse gas emissions before the implementation of this subtitle shall receive appropriate credit for its early voluntary actions;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="4">
    <text>Provide for the use of offset credits generated by alternative compliance mechanisms executed within the State, including carbon sequestration projects, to achieve compliance with greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by this subtitle;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="5">
    <text>Ensure that the plans do not decrease the likelihood of reliable and affordable electrical service and statewide fuel supplies;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="6">
    <text>Consider whether the measures would result in an increase in electricity costs to consumers in the State;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="7">
    <text>Consider the impact of the plans on the ability of the State to:</text>
    <level label="i">
      <text>Attract, expand, and retain commercial aviation services; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="ii">
      <text>Conserve, protect, and retain agriculture;</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="8">
    <text>Ensure that the greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures implemented in accordance with the plans:</text>
    <level label="i">
      <text>Are implemented in an efficient and cost–effective manner;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="ii">
      <text>Do not disproportionately impact rural or low–income, low– to moderate–income, or minority communities or any other particular class of electricity ratepayers;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="iii">
      <text>Minimize leakage;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="iv">
      <text>Are quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="v">
      <text>Directly cause no loss of existing jobs in the manufacturing sector;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="vi">
      <text>Produce a net economic benefit to the State’s economy and a net increase in jobs in the State, as compared with a no–action scenario; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="vii">
      <text>Encourage new employment opportunities in the State related to energy conservation, alternative energy supply, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction technologies, particularly in areas of the State experiencing  a combination of urban heat and climate   impacts;</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="9">
    <text>Incorporate top–down methane emissions data acquired through aircraft observations; and</text>
  </level>
  <level label="10">
    <text>Use the best available scientific information, as included in the most recent assessments and reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.</text>
  </level>
</section>
