For Release: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Public Invited to Meeting on State Climate Action Plan
Plan Focuses on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Adapting to Climate Change
The New York State Climate Action Council will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 8, to provide an update on the development of the State Climate Action Plan. The meeting will be held at the NYS Public Service Commission, 90 Church Street, 4th Floor, Manhattan.
Staff from the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will describe the process the Climate Action Council is using to develop the plan, environmental justice considerations that have been identified to date and preliminary recommendations. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and express comments.
Governor David A. Paterson signed Executive Order 24 in 2009, setting a goal of reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of their 1990 levels by 2050. The executive order created the Climate Action Council and directed it to prepare a draft climate action plan that will assess how all economic sectors can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, and identify the extent to which such actions support New York's goals for meeting energy demands.
"New York State is on a path to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for the effects of unavoidable climate change and advance the clean energy economy," DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said.
New York State Energy Research and Development President and CEO Francis J. Murray said: "At the dawn of a global green energy revolution, the comprehensive energy policies developed by Governor David Paterson are positioning our state for economic growth in the emerging clean energy markets, while providing a model for the nation on protecting the environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change."
The draft climate action plan is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1. Release of the draft plan will be followed by a three-month public comment period.
Pre-registration to attend the July 8 meeting in New York City is requested. Please pre-register by e-mailing climatechange@gw.dec.state.ny.us ; include the words "July 8 Pre-registration" in the subject line. All participants must be prepared to present photo ID.
Further information, including the meeting agenda and procedures for participating in the July 8 meeting via the Internet or telephone, is available on the NYS Climate Action Council webpage listed under Off Site Links in the right hand column of this page. Interested parties may sign up for the climate action plan list server on the council web site to be notified of future meetings and other events.
Directions to the Publice Service Commission's 90 Church Street offices can be found on their webpage listed under Off Site Links in the right hand column of this page.
