July 10, 2003

Environmental Advocates of New York
Natural Resources Defense Council
New York Public Interest Research Group

Global Warming Policy Briefing
Groups Outline Necessary Action by the Governor

(Albany, NY) - Two years after Gov. George E. Pataki pledged to be a leader in the fight against global warming, leading state and national environmental groups reported at a press briefing today in Albany that establishing a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants is the obvious next step for New York.

The Greenhouse Gas Task Force, created in June 2001 by the Governor, consisted of representatives from government, academia, industry, and environmental groups. It met for one year and developed a draft report in May 2002. In April 2003, Recommendations to Governor Pataki for Reducing New York State Greenhouse Gas Emissions was released by the Center for Clean Air Policy, the facilitator of the Task Force. It showed that a cap on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants set at 25% below 1990 levels would have no appreciable impact on electricity rates, and would significantly reduce emissions. The report also finds that a regional approach would make it feasible for New York to cut power plant emissions of CO2 even further, at least 31% below 1990 levels. The report is available at www.ccap.org.

“All the analysis is in, and capping carbon from polluting power plants will produce real results,” said Anne Reynolds of Environmental Advocates of New York. “New York can’t afford to miss the opportunity to take decisive action on global warming.”

On April 25, 2003, rather than announcing a power sector cap for New York, Governor Pataki invited northeast states to join New York in exploring a regional cap-and-trade program. The Governor directed the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation Erin Crotty and the Chair of the Public Service Commission Bill Flynn to report progress within ninety days, by July 23rd.

Ashok Gupta of the Natural Resources Defense Council stated, “New York can make a significant reduction in global warming pollution while lowering electricity costs for all consumers. Governor Pataki should move expeditiously to cap New York’s carbon dioxide emissions from power plants while simultaneously getting many other states in the Northeast to join the effort. This will both maximize emission reductions in the region and provide important economic benefits for New York.”

Jason K. Babbie of the New York Public Interest Research Group stated, “It’s been two years since Governor Pataki pledged to make New York a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the necessary studies for New York have been produced, yet we are still waiting for action. Governor Pataki should announce specific cut levels for power plant carbon pollution with compliance dates on July 23rd, in order to keep his promise of leadership.”