Maine Revised Statutes Title 38. Waters and Navigation § 574. Definitions

1. Greenhouse gas. “Greenhouse gas” means any chemical or physical substance that is emitted into the air and that the department determines by rule may reasonably be anticipated to cause or contribute to climate change. “Greenhouse gas” includes, but is not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Rules adopted by the department pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

1-A. Climate action plan. “Climate action plan” means the state plan adopted under section 577.

1-B. Gross annual greenhouse gas emissions. “Gross annual greenhouse gas emissions” means the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by all sources within the State each year.

1-C. Net annual greenhouse gas emissions. “Net annual greenhouse gas emissions” means gross annual greenhouse gas emissions less the total amount of greenhouse gases absorbed each year by plants and natural ecosystems, including, but not limited to, trees, crops, soil and wetlands within the State.

2. Sector. “Sector” means one of the 5 sectors identified in the climate change action plan adopted by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August 2001. The 5 sectors are the transportation, industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors.