I’ve been lauding the good folks of California for their progressive views – expressed at the polls last Tuesday – on climate and energy. I should toot the horn for my own state, New York, too.
I worked for 11 years for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and came to have a robust appreciation for the work of that agency and the sister agencies involved in energy, agriculture, parks and historic preservation. I’ve also spent many peaceful and productive days vacationing and camping in the Adirondacks and Lake George region. Down here in the Big City, we also have been paying a tremendous amount of attention to the ins and outs of improving the urban environment.
David Paterson, who stepped into the Governor’s seat when Eliot Spitzer crashed and burned, has been promoting an aggressive approach to reducing greenhouse gases. Aside from its participation in the landmark Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which preceded Governor Paterson’s tenure by several years, the state of New York has been pursuing a number of important programs. Paterson announced a Climate Action Plan yesterday that is a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. Here are some bullet points from the release:
* Accelerating the development of zero- or low-carbon sources of power, reducing reliance on petroleum and upgrading the power grid to increase the use of renewable energy.
* Enhancing construction codes, appliance standards and consumer incentives to ensure construction of the most energy efficient, environmentally-beneficial buildings.
* Encouraging transportation efficiency by developing low-carbon fuel standards, promoting greater use of electric-based public transport, creating rebates/incentives to encourage the sale of efficient cars and light trucks and investing in freight and high-speed rail.
* Promoting sustainable policies in agriculture, forestry and waste sectors, including decreasing the amount of waste generated, supporting the use of renewable forms of clean energy on farms and increasing the use of low-carbon biomass fuels.
* Targeting research and development funds toward helping New York businesses develop low-carbon energy technologies while addressing State energy and infrastructure needs.
One of the points that stands out for me is the idea of advancing the electrification of vehicles, an approach wholly embraced by NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Bloomberg, not incidentally, has just assumed the chairmanship of the highly influential C40 Cities – Climate Leadership Group.
Good on ‘ya, David. Let’s assume that the next Governor, Andrew Cuomo, will keep the ball rolling.
