(a) The department shall, in consultation with the public utilities commission, the office, council, and board, through rules and regulations, establish the state’s rules for participation in RGGI.
(b) The department’s rules and regulations for participation in a carbon cap and trade program shall be designed to meet the mutual understandings and commitments for participation in RGGI, and permit the holders of carbon allowances to trade them in a regional market to be established through the RGGI.
(c) The responsibilities created by implementing RGGI shall be in addition to all other responsibilities imposed by any other general or special law or rule or regulation and shall not diminish or reduce any power or authority of the department, including the authority to adopt standards and regulations necessary for the state to join and fully participate in any multi-state program, at any stage in the development and implementation of such a program, intended to control emissions of carbon dioxide and/or other substances that are determined by the department to be damaging and/or altering the climate.