The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) opens its bid process today, leading up to the nation's first auction of carbon dioxide allowances.

RGGI is a consortium of 10 states - including Maine - in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that have agreed to reduce greenhouse gases through a mandatory cap-and-trade system.

Under the program the states will stabilize and then reduce the carbon dioxide produced by power plants.

The auction will be held on September 25. Go to the RGGI website for more information.