PRESS RELEASE

September 4, 2008

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES OF NEW YORK STATEMENT ON NYS GOVERNOR PATERSON'S RECENT COMMENTS ON THE REGIONAL CLIMATE PLAN

Enviro Watchdog Calls on Gov to Clarify Support for RGGI

(ALBANY, NY)—“Environmental Advocates of New York is calling on Governor David Paterson to clarify—once and for all—his position on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the country’s first cap-and-trade plan to reduce the pollution that is changing our climate,” said Robert Moore, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York. “Governor Paterson’s comments indicate that he may reconsider New York’s participation in this historic effort. He would be wrong to back away from the state’s longstanding support and leadership for the regional climate plan, which was developed here in New York and has been championed by governors of both parties. Nine other governors from across the political spectrum have rallied to support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.”  

On September 3, the New York Times “City Room” blog reported Governor Paterson’s comments on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The Governor’s comments can be read at  http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/regional-carbon-initiative-in-doubt/.

Governor Paterson’s comments cast a shadow over the adoption of regulations needed to implement the RGGI in New York State. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s regulations have been approved but have not yet been published in the State Register. The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority’s RGGI regulations are scheduled to be adopted at a board meeting on September 15.

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Environmental Advocates of New York is the state’s government watchdog, holding lawmakers and agencies accountable for implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Environmental Advocates works alone and in coalitions, and has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The 501(c)(3) is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org.