January 16, 2004
New York Public Interest Research Group
Environmental Advocates of New York
Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter
Kids Against Pollution

Gov. Pataki Urged to Follow Corporate Lead on Global Warming Task Force Study Identifying Power Plant Pollution Cited

New York’s environmental groups cited Eastman Kodak’s recent decision to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the cause of global warming, to call on Governor Pataki to cap carbon dioxide, the predominate greenhouse gas, from power plants.

On Tuesday, Eastman Kodak, a Rochester-based Fortune 500 company, committed to cut its worldwide greenhouse gas pollution by 10 percent below 2002 levels by 2008.

“A leader in the business world and major emitter of toxic air pollution in New York did the calculations and decided to reduce global warming pollution, committing to specific cut levels and compliance dates,” said Jason K. Babbie, Environmental Policy Analyst for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). “Governor Pataki needs to make those commitments on power plant pollution today. This can even be done at almost no cost to consumers,” said Babbie

On April 25 2003, Governor Pataki’s Greenhouse Gas Task Force, which included selected representatives from the business and environmental communities and state agencies, released a final report concluding that New York State could reduce carbon dioxide from power plants to 20% below 1990 levels with virtually no impact on consumer electricity rates. Power plants are the largest stationary source of pollution.

“The science and economic analyses are complete and Governor Pataki knows what needs to be done, but he has not taken the needed step of requiring regulations” said Anne K. Reynolds, Program Director for Environmental Advocates of New York. Environmental Advocates was on the Governor’s task force.

Instead of setting an instate power plant cap when the report was released, Governor Pataki announced his desire for a northeastern initiative capping power plants without committing to cut levels or compliance dates for the state or region.

"The largest carbon sources are power plants, and a regional cap will be helpful when it is implemented. However, New York does not have, nor should it to wait to take action," said Reynolds.

“Future generation will suffer if decision makers do not take concrete steps to control global warming, particularly when the answer is so clear,” said Christine Shahin, Executive Director of Kids Against Pollution. “Relying on voluntary efforts is not going to solve global warming. We need action now,” added Shahin.

“The solutions are known and affordable, making inaction incomprehensible. Until there is a cap, New York power plants will continue to belching out millions of tons of preventable global warming pollution every year,” concluded Babbie.

“The irony is that a major toxic polluter in the state recognizes the effects of global warming worldwide and unlike the Governor has set concrete goals for greenhouse gas emissions,” said Annie Wilson, Chair Energy Committee for Sierra Club-Atlantic Chapter.