April 25, 2003

Environmental Advocates of New York
New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)

Groups to Governor:
Heed Report and Cap Carbon from Instate Power Plants
Gov. Pataki urged to take action while working with area states

(Albany, NY) -- In response to Governor Pataki’s announcement that he wants to work with area Governors to create a regional cap on carbon dioxide from power plants, New York’s environmental groups reiterated their call for a statewide cap. The groups pointed to the report released today from Governor Pataki’s Greenhouse Gas Task Force, which found that New York can cap carbon dioxide emissions from the state’s power plants at 25% below 1990 levels with no cost to consumers.

“The best way to implement the Governor’s call for a regional cap on carbon dioxide emissions is to start in New York State. The report released today shows that a carbon cap on power plants is not only the best way to reduce CO2 now, but is also cost-free,” said Anne Reynolds, air and energy program director at Environmental Advocates of New York, “With this solution at his fingertips, Governor Pataki has a responsibility to act to protect public health and the environment from global warming.”

“This independent report bolsters what we have been saying for years: capping global warming pollution from power plants is cost effective and must be done,” said Jason K. Babbie, environmental policy analyst for the New York Public Interest Research Group. “The verdict is in and now action is needed, simply waiting for a regional cap will mean more global warming pollution.”

According to the report, a cap on the power sector would reduce global warming pollution the most of any of the policies considered by the Task Force. Power plants are the largest individual sources of carbon dioxide, the predominant cause of global warming, and account for 26% of New York’s emissions of global warming gases.

In June 2001, Governor Pataki pledged to make New York a leader in cutting global warming pollution and created the Greenhouse Gas Task Force to analyze and recommend specific policies. In June 2002, the state released a new energy plan, including first-ever emission targets: the state will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 5% by 2010 and 10% by 2020.

Governor Pataki should institute an instate carbon cap on power plants to serve as an example to the other Governors, citing the hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions that come from New York’s power plants every year.

“Every day of inaction means more tons of carbon dioxide emissions being belched out, exacerbating global warming,” said Babbie. “Clearly we have the know-how and technology, now we need the courage for action. It has been almost two years since Governor Pataki promised he would be a national leader on this issue and not a single ton of global warming pollution has been reduced.”