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The State of New York

State of New York

Population: 19.54 million
GHG Emissions: 284.11 million metric tons CO2e (2007)


Targets/Goals

  • Reduce GHG emissions by 80% from 1990 levels, by 2050 – Governor David Paterson, Executive Order No. 24 establishes commission of state agency heads to plan strategy for achieving reductions.
  • The Climate Action Plan is currently being formulated by the Council, with the help of technical and policy experts grouped according to the five areas listed above. The interim report released in late 2010 outlined a vision for a low carbon economy in 2050 and listed the principal factors that need attention in order to bring about the required changes.
  • At time of writing in mid-2011, no legislation has yet come of the Climate Action Plan but the interim report suggests that widespread adoption of existing or emerging technologies could reduce carbon emissions by the desired amount and transform New York into a world leader in clean technology. 
  • These technologies will likely include a coordinated mix of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), low carbon and renewable energy, energy efficiency standards, and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Investment will also be needed to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change.
  • Current policy includes the “45 by 15” energy plan, in which the State aims to obtain 45% of its energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency by 2015. Aspects of this plan are discussed under the headings below.
  • A Climate Action Council is developing the New York State Climate Plan, the most far reaching and technically sophisticated climate action plan in the US. The plan will examine transportation and land use, buildings, electric power, agriculture, forestry and waste and adaptation.

Top Actions

  • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: The nation’s first cap and trade program limits greenhouse gas emissions from electric utilities, auctions allowances needed for compliance and reinvests auction proceeds to support energy efficiency and renewable energy. Eight successful auctions have raised more than $243 million for reinvestment in energy efficiency and renewable energy in New York.
  • Reduce electricity use by 15% by 2015: Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard promotes efficiency; eliminates a key conservation disincentive by decoupling utility profits from the amount of energy consumed; strengthens appliance and building efficiency standards.
  • Generate 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015: Renewable Portfolio Standard requires 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015, the nation’s most ambitious renewable energy goal; to implement the RPS, NYSERDA provides financial incentives for renewable energy. 
  • Solar photovoltaic: New York Power Authority and Long Island Power Authority are committed to deployment of 150 megawatts of large scale photovoltaic power by 2014.
  • Energy storage: Initiation of NYBEST state battery consortium to develop battery technology
  • Green and Clean State Buildings and Vehicles Guidelines (Executive Order No. 111) and State Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program (EO No. 4): Goals and practices for energy efficiency and green building technology in state buildings, and for the use of biofuels in state vehicles and buildings, along with a State Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program 
  • Transportation and Climate Initiative, a multi-state endeavor designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, minimize the transportation system’s reliance on high-carbon fuels, promote sustainable growth and address the challenges of vehicle-miles traveled on a regional basis.
  • A Regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard framework being developed in collaboration with other northeastern and mid-Atlantic states will reduce the carbon concentration in vehicle and building fuels and promote the use of low carbon fuels.
  • Greenhouse gas motor vehicle exhaust emission standards: regulations that would reduce GHG emissions from cars by 37%, and from light trucks 24% by 2016.
  • VMT Task Force developing plan to reduce vehicle miles traveled 10% below levels expected by 2020.
  • New York State Sea Level Rise Task Force: assessing coastline impacts; developing protective and adaptive measures for communities, habitats. 
  • ClimAid Adaptation Study: study with academic partners investigating techniques to predict local climate change effects and improve resilience of natural and man-made resources. 
  • Environmental review: DEC policy encourages low carbon development by requiring evaluation and mitigation of energy use or greenhouse gas emissions in environmental impact statements. 
  • System Benefits Charge/New York Energy $mart: Small charge on consumer energy bills supports NY Energy $mart initiatives (efficiency, renewable energy, research/development, environmental protection, low-income customer assistance) that are not expected to be adequately addressed by competitive electricity markets.
  • Climate Smart Communities: Municipal action to mitigate GHG emissions and adapt to unavoidable climate change. More than 80 New York communities have already adopted the ten point pledge to reduce emissions, prepare for climate change, and invest in green economies.
  • Net metering: Expansion of the state’s net metering laws to include larger solar installations and electricity generated from wind and farm waste, and to increase the maximum amount of energy that utilities are required to buy back through net metering.

Key Links

http://www.nyserda.org/ (NYS Energy Research and Development Authority)
http://www.dec.ny.gov/ (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation)
http://www.nyclimatechange.us/ (NYS Climate Action Plan)