The development of the program shall be accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the participating states, acting principally through their designated representatives. Each state has been invited to designate a representative from each of its environmental and energy regulatory agencies. Collectively, these designated representatives make up the Staff Working Group.

Staff Working Group Leadership

The Staff Working Group has designated representatives from Maine, New Jersey and New York to serve on a Steering Committee. The representative from New Jersey will chair the Staff Working Group for purposes of coordinating overall program activities and facilitating communication.

Agency Chief Executives

State commissioners and secretaries shall monitor the efforts of the Staff Working Group, and shall meet on a regular basis to track the Staff Working Group's efforts and confer on key policy decisions.

Observers to Staff Working Group

States and Canadian provinces that are not presently committed to the development of a GHG cap-and-trade program for their jurisdictions may take part in meetings of the Staff Working Group and Subgroups as observers. Such states or provinces may join as participating states or provinces in the future.

Task and Subgroup Leadership

Leadership for specific tasks needing to be accomplished in the development of the program shall be assumed by specific state representatives, who shall work closely with the other state representatives who have committed to assist with the task.

Technical Data & Analysis Subgroup. 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.

Model Rule Subgroup. The Subgroup on model rule development shall propose a model rule outline for consideration by the Staff 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.

Stakeholder Process Subgroup. 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.

Energy Modeling & Analysis Subgroup. 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.

Economic Cost-Benefit Modeling & Analysis Subgroup. 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 Technical Data & Analysis Subgroup); and the (b) development of a plan for assessment of costs and benefits of the program. MA will the lead the Subgroup also consisting of CT, NJ and NY.

Monitor NESCAUM GHG Registry Efforts. 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. NH leads this Subgroup.