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New York Takes a Step to Curb Global Warming
In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency predicted global warming would result in 50-70% loss of New York sugar maples, which support local farms and provide brilliant fall foliage; almost a complete loss of brook trout habitat; and a sea-level rise along the shorelines of Long Island, New York City and the Hudson River up to Albany. Unfortunately, while the devastating impact of global warming is extremely serious, political gridlock in Washington has meant the nation does not have any mandatory programs to control for global warming pollution. While the debate rages on, no action has been taken to address this very serious issue and the planet continues to simmer. States, such as New York, have moved well beyond the debate of whether there exists a global warming problem, and are taking specific steps to control global warming pollution. Governor Pataki led a regional initiative among seven states to control power plants' carbon dioxide pollution, the predominant greenhouse gas. This plan is known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), called “Reggie” for short. Last week, the RGGI issued a model rule that each of the states will adopt. Beginning in 2009, emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants in the region would be capped at current levels with this cap remaining in place until 2015. The states would then begin reducing emissions incrementally over a four-year period to achieve a 10 percent reduction by 2019. This regional greenhouse gas reduction program uses a “cap-and-trade” approach. The program attempts to create economic incentive to encourage companies to cut greenhouse gas emissions through a market-based approach. The new governor elected this November must support and strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative agreement to ensure meaningful reductions in carbon dioxide from the state’s power plants are realized. The credits for compliance in the “cap and trade” of global warming pollution should be sold to generators and 100 percent of those funds should go to benefit consumers. For example, the state could use a portion of these funds to spend more on energy conservation measures, which would help consumers reduce costs while decreasing pollution. Unfortunately, the model rules do not adequately use the benefits of the “cap and trade” program for consumers. It is this area that the new governor should work to improve the RGGI. Once a strong model for pollution reduction is built for power plants, New York should expand the model program to other major greenhouse gas emitters. The new governor should use his executive powers to expand the rule to include other major emitters, such as manufacturing facilities, particularly those using coal to generate power. Particularly during the current Bush presidency, states have shown that they are the true innovators and “laboratories for democracy.” The next governor must ensure New York remains a laboratory of democracy, to benefit New Yorkers and to point the way for other states and federal policy. Of course state action is no substitute for action by the federal government. History may not look kindly on the failures of the Bush Administration to take the global warming threat seriously. Yet, New York can be an example to the rest of the nation. New York policymakers can and must offer a model of leadership on this critical issue. That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week. |
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