ABOUT THE AIR & ENERGY PROGRAM

Energy use—including electricity, transportation and heating—is the most significant source of the air pollution that is changing our climate and causing smog, acid rain, and toxic mercury pollution, among other serious environmental problems.

Environmental Advocates of New York’s Air & Energy Program is focused on reducing air pollution and promoting the clean technologies that will set New York on the path to a safe and sustainable energy future.

Our work includes promoting policies that will improve air quality and reduce global warming pollution, as well as supporting New York’s efforts to increase energy efficiency and conservation and accelerate clean energy development.

Global Warming
New York is one of 10 states participating in the country’s first plan to cut climate-altering pollution from power plants. Known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or “RGGI,” Environmental Advocates has been involved in the design and implementation of the climate plan since its inception. And we continue to work diligently to ensure that the RGGI is as protective of the environment as possible. Click here to learn more about Environmental Advocates' work on Global Warming.

Now that the regional climate plan is up and running, our focus has moved to how New York can best spend revenue generated in the auction of carbon credits. We were also recently appointed to a state Advisory Group that will influence how RGGI monies are invested. Our preference is that this money goes to energy efficiency and clean, renewable technologies. Click here to learn more about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. And here.

We are also promoting state and federal legislation to cap global warming pollution from all sectors of the economy—cars, buses, homes, businesses and more. One of our highest priorities for 2010 is advancing legislation to cut New York’s climate pollution 80 percent by 2050, following the recommendations of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Click here to learn more about the status of this legislation.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation  
Environmental Advocates is working to increase New York State's investment in energy efficiency. We are working to help the state reach its "15 x 15" electricity consumption goal, which would cut power consumption 15 percent by the year 2015.

Renewable Energy in New York State
Environmental Advocates works to bring clean, renewable energy to New York. In addition to leading efforts to overhaul the state’s outdated net metering policy, the practice that credits consumers for the clean energy they generate themselves, we also direct efforts to reauthorize the state's investment in renewable energy projects and strengthen the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

State Energy Plan
Environmental Advocates is an active participant in State Energy Planning. Initiated by Governor David Paterson, a draft State Energy Plan was released and finalized in 2009. 

We advocate strongly for New York to move away from polluting fossil fuels and toward cleaner renewable sources of energy for both electricity and transportation. Click here to read our comments on the draft plan.
 
Click here for more information about the New York State Energy Plan.

REPORTS & RESOURCES

• Environmental Advocates of New York's Testimony on the Draft State Energy Plan

• Net Metering: New Energy & New Investment for New York State

• Wind Power: Clean, Safe, Secure Energy for New York State

• Report: Forecast for New York: Projected Global Warming Impacts & Next Steps

• RGGI: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

• Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Using RGGI Proceeds to Conserve Energy & Reduce Pollution