Environment DEC
From the January 2007 issue
DEC Issues Preliminary Draft RGGI Proposal for Public Review
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a preliminary draft set of rules to implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in New York State. The proposal represents the first step toward completing implementation of this landmark program to help address the challenge of climate change in New York and the Northeast.
Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The goal of the Regional Greenhouse
Gas Initiative is to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions from power plants
RGGI is a flexible, market-based, cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the Northeast, and it is the first of its kind in the United States. Carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas that is already causing New York's climate to warm and which has the potential to cause significant environmental, public health and economic impacts. Other states that have agreed to participate in the program include Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine and Vermont. Maryland is expected to join in 2007, and California recently announced its intent to work with RGGI states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Public Meeting
A copy of the preliminary draft proposal can be found on DEC's website by using the links below. DEC is seeking public comments on the proposal, which can be submitted via e-mail or in person at the public meeting on January 12, 2007. Following the close of the comment period, DEC will review the comments, make necessary changes and propose a draft regulation that also will be subject to public review and input before being finalized.
Deadline for Comments
Please e-mail comments on the preliminary draft rule by January 12, 2007. Written comments also may be submitted at the January meeting, which is scheduled from 10 AM until noon at DEC Headquarters, Room 129A, 625 Broadway, Albany. Because of security concerns, anyone who plans to attend this meeting must register beforehand by using the same link provided for e-mailing comments.
Related Links
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Other Links
