Senator Thompson Joins Environmentalists, Calls for Senate to Vote on Global Warming Legislation

Lack of Federal Action, Gulf Oil Spill Highlight Need to Pass Clean Energy Legislation Now

ALBANY, NY (06/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Today Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) joined dozens of environmental advocates outside the Senate Chamber to call for a vote on the Global Warming Pollution Control Act, Senate Bill 4315-C. The legislation would set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets at 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050 and calls for the state to create a plan for how to adapt to the anticipated effects of climate change. The bill currently has 31 Senate sponsors from both conferences.

In light of the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and lack of federal action on climate change, the time to set greenhouse gas emissions limits for New York State is now. Scientists say that emissions reductions targets in the range of 80 percent are necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Passing the Global Warming Pollution Control Act would position New York on the forefront of the clean energy economy and secure its place as a leader on climate change.

Environmental groups praised Senator Thompson's bold efforts to rally his colleagues in the Senate during the last days of session. Senator Thompson has called this bill a top priority and urges his colleagues to pass this legislation swiftly.

A similar version of the bill passed the State Assembly earlier this year and a companion bill (Assembly Bill 11507-B), sponsored by long-time environmental champion and Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, Robert K. Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) is moving in that house.

"I am very pleased that Senator Thompson has actively moved legislation which I originally sponsored in 2008 which will require the DEC to establish rules with respect to limits on greenhouse emissions. Once again, I am urging bipartisan support from my colleagues in the New York State Legislature to do all they can to utilize all resources available to win the campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This strict, science-based bill, limiting future greenhouse gas pollution, will create a strong foundation for future action, and will put the world on notice that New York State is ready to avert the most serious effects of climate change," said Senator Thomas Morahan. "The public debate on global warming is over except for the immediate need to act to curb greenhouse gas emissions."

The Global Warming Pollution Control Act is designated as a 2010 Super Bill, or high priority legislation chosen by the environmental community, which includes the leaders of more than a dozen of New York's environmental organizations.

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