Environment DEC
From the August 2003 issue
Governor Announces Cooperation on Clean Air Initiative
Governor George Pataki has announced commitments from the governors of nine northeast states to join New York State in a regional strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The initiative, proposed by Governor Pataki, would involve developing a market-based emissions trading system to require power generators to reduce emissions.
New York Leads Coalition
In April, Governor Pataki sent letters to 10 governors encouraging participation in the regional strategy. The Governor directed Public Service Commission Chairman William Flynn and DEC Commissioner Erin Crotty to contact their counterparts in other states and gauge their state's level of interest within 90 days.
Since that time, the governors of Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have expressed interest in working with New York in developing a "cap-and-trade program" for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Maryland has indicated that they may join the discussions at a later date.
Pleased with the willingness of other states to work with New York, Governor Pataki said, "I thank the leaders of northeast states who have joined New York in this historic initiative to build on those efforts by working together to develop an effective regional strategy to further reduce harmful emissions."
Next Steps
Leaders from the participating states next convene in September to discuss development of the initiative. The overall goal of the group is to reach an agreement by April 2005 on a flexible, market-based cap-and-trade program.
