February 11, 2004
Amercian Lung Association of New York State
Environmental Advocates of New York
New York Public Interest Research Group
Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter

Groups Encourage Clean and Green Energy
Urge Prompt Finalization of Standard that Excludes Incineration

Environmental health and community groups gathered to warn New Yorkers that special interest lobbyists are working to corrupt renewable energy projects for their own gain. Groups criticized fossil-fuel power plant and incinerator owners and developers for pushing incineration to be included in the definition of a renewable technology in state policy debates.

The state is currently going through the rulemaking process to fulfill Governor Pataki’s promise for renewable energy. In Governor Pataki’s 2003 State of the State Address, he committed to implement an RPS, which would mean 25% of energy in New York State would come from renewable technologies. At the time, the Governor listed solar, wind and fuel cell technologies as fitting power sources. Environmental and public health advocates supported this commitment as a big first step toward creating sustainable energy production and decreasing adverse impacts of power plant pollution.

“Contrary to what fat-cat industry lobbyists say, burning trash is neither renewable nor a clean energy source and must not be allowed to be considered as such,” said Ben Tevelin, Energy Campaigns Coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group. “We encourage the Public Service Commission to stay true to Governor Pataki’s original intent by excluding incineration.”

Critics of incineration listed numerous environment and public health risks resulting from burning garbage. Existing incinerators are major sources of heavy metals and carcinogens. In addition, incinerators emit pollution causing ozone smog, soot and global climate change. Industrial facilities, such as incinerators, are also often sited in communities of color, causing disparate, adverse health effects in African American and Latino neighborhoods.

“Incinerators belch out tremendous amounts of pollution making people sick and cutting short lives, said Peter Iwanowicz, Director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association of New York State. “The promise of setting a standard for the amount of renewable energy produced and sold in the state will be kept if the state’s leaders keep garbage burning out the same league as wind and solar power.”

"It has been a year since the Governor made his commitment to 25% clean, green energy," said Anne Reynolds of Environmental Advocates. "We need to stay on track to make this promise a reality."

“Creating market demand for renewable energy is only the first step in the long road towards energy independence and sustainability in New York,” said John Stouffer, Legislative Director of the Sierra Club – Atlantic Chapter. “Excluding the dirty trash-burning industry from being considered a renewable energy technology is a critical first step.”