Dismissal of Baseless Lawsuit Safeguards Regional Effort to Cut Power Plant Pollution

ALBANY, NY (06/14/2012)(readMedia)-- In response to news yesterday that State Supreme Court Judge Thomas J. McNamara dismissed a lawsuit orchestrated by out-of-state polluters and climate change deniers Americans for Prosperity and the Competitive Enterprise Institute, energy and environmental organizations released the following statement:

"The court's dismissal of a baseless lawsuit underwritten by out-of-state polluters is welcome news for New York's environment, public health, and our growing clean energy economy.

New York State should now focus its attentions on strengthening the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to reduce power plant pollution to 20 percent below current levels.

RGGI is the cornerstone of efforts to cut the pollution that is changing our climate and dirtying the air we breathe. Thanks to RGGI, New York continues to set an example for the nation, reducing pollution and saving consumers money on their utility bills, while creating new jobs and growing a clean energy economy right here in the Empire State."

In 2008, 10 states launched RGGI to reduce climate-altering pollution from power plants. It is the nation's first enforceable effort for cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

The groups releasing this statement include: The Adirondack Council, Alliance for Clean Energy New York, Center for Working Families, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Citizens' Environmental Coalition, Clean and Healthy New York, Earthjustice, Environment New York, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group, New York Solar Energy Industries Association, and Renewable Energy Long Island.

To learn more about the benefits of RGGI, click here.

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