As Feds Give Up Climate Fight, States Must Act to Cut Global Warming Pollution

Environmental Groups Urge New York State Senate to Take Up Global Warming Pollution Control Act on Return to Albany

ALBANY, NY (07/27/2010)(readMedia)-- Now that action to address our changing climate is dead at the federal level, the states have a responsibility to act. New York's Global Warming Pollution Control Act will ensure significant that cuts in greenhouse gases are made sooner rather than later and there's no time to waste. Research shows that the longer we wait, the more expensive, and less economically beneficial, addressing the climate challenge will be. Lawmakers' forced return to Albany tomorrow is a golden opportunity for the New York State Senate to send a clear signal that in the absence of federal action, states have a critical role to play and New York is ready to lead.

Passed by a wide margin in the Assembly earlier this year, the Global Warming Pollution Control Act would direct the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish a greenhouse gas emissions limit from all sources in New York State in order to cut climate pollution by 80 percent by the year 2050. These are the big cuts that scientists say are necessary to avert the worst effects of global warming, which include increased average temperatures likely to result in threats to public health, infrastructure, coastal property, agriculture and water supplies.

Studies have shown that setting firm targets to reduce climate pollution will encourage investments in clean energy and our energy infrastructure that will in turn create jobs and bolster the economy.

The environmental groups urging the Senate to act tomorrow include: Adirondack Council, Adirondack Mountain Club, Alliance for Clean Energy New York, Inc., Audubon New York, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Citizens' Environmental Coalition, Environmental Advocates of New York, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group, The Nature Conservancy New York, Pace Energy and Climate Center, Parents for Climate Protection, Trout Unlimited – New York, Renewable Energy Long Island, Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter, Surfrider Foundation NYC, Sustainable South Bronx, Vision Long Island, Vote Solar, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and Western New York Sustainable Energy Association.

-30-

For more information:

Erica Ringewald, Environmental Advocates of New York, 518-210-9903

Daniella Nordin, Environmental Advocates of New York, 518-462-5526 x239

Sean Mahar, Audubon New York, 518-253-7000

Laura Haight, NYPIRG, 518-436-0876 x258