For Immediate Release:

June 28, 2002

 

For Information, Contact:

Jeff Jones, 518-462-5526 ext. 233

Christine Vanderlan, 518-462-5526 ext. 240

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Calls for Global Warming Analysis of Proposed State Highway Impacts

 

Would be First Use of New State Energy Plan Guidelines

 

 

(Albany, N.Y.) – Commenting on a draft environmental impact statement for a new state highway project in Western New York State, Environmental Advocates of New York (EANY) today called for inclusion of an analysis of the impacts of increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions expected as a result of the project. The group’s call came in a request for an extension of the public comment period on the Re-evaluation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for U.S. Route 219 – Springville to Salamanca (P.I.N. 5101.53).

 

“The new State Energy Plan declares that New York include consideration of carbon dioxide production and mitigation strategies in its transportation planning,” said EANY Energy Program Associate Christine Vanderlan. “The proposed four-lane Route 219 freeway will generate more travel on the route and annual energy consumption in the region is projected to increase significantly. This must now be taken into consideration by state transportation planners.”

 

The new state energy plan was released by the New York State Energy Board on June 19. For the first time, it is explicit that carbon dioxide emissions, the primary cause of global warming, are to be considered in reviews under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

 

Transportation in New York accounts for approximately 37 percent of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion, more than any other sector.  Motor vehicles are the largest source of emissions of greenhouse gases nationally as well. In New York, transportation sector emissions of greenhouse gases are projected to rise 11 percent from 1999 to 2010.

 

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