10 states auction carbon allotment

ALBANY, N.Y. - A coalition of 10 northeastern states, including Massachusetts, auctioned 31.5 million tons of carbon yesterday in the second of a series of auctions that could help create a US program to curb global warming.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative requires power plants to pay for carbon dioxide they produce, providing an incentive to cut emissions. The amount for sale will gradually be reduced.