Environment DEC
From the February 2007 issue
DEC Extends Public Comment Period on Key Global Warming Policy
DEC recently announced that it is providing the public additional time to offer their comments on a preliminary global warming rule that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants-a major contributor to global warming. The new deadline for comments is March 13, 2007.
Most of the earth is experiencing warming trends, consistent with the retreat of the mountain glaciers and increases in ocean temperature, causing heat to be trapped in the earth's atmosphere - photo courtesy of NASA
First Mandatory Cap-and-trade Program
Under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, seven Northeast states agreed to implement a cap-and-trade program that will be the first mandatory cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas pollution in United States history. A preliminary draft regulatory proposal was released by DEC on December 5, 2006. The additional comment period will allow more New Yorkers to offer their views on this critical issue.
Governor Eliot Spitzer is fully committed to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and in his 2007 State of the State address said, "New York should also build on its existing regional compact to address climate change. I have already started speaking with other governors about the need to link and expand our climate change initiatives. This is something that can and must be achieved."
To Comment
Public comments should be submitted to NYRGGI or can be mailed to: Department of Environmental Conservation, Climate Change Office, 14th Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233.
Confronting the issue of global climate change becomes more urgent as evidence indicating that earth's climate is warming continues to mount. Scientists at the National Climatic Data Center recently reported that average annual temperature readings for the contiguous United States during 2006 indicate that it was the warmest year on record. See the links below for more information about the topics in this story.
Related Links
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
