PRESS RELEASE

March 19, 2007

MAKE POLLUTERS PAY

New York State's Environmental Agency Closes Public Comment Period on Regional Climate Pact

(ALBANY, NY)—The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) closed its public comment period on a "pre-proposal" for draft regulations to formalize New York's role in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI. At the urging of Environmental Advocates of New York and others, the DEC proposed making power-producing polluters pay for the privilege of emitting carbon dioxide.

When the pre-proposal first became public, power producers complained that they should receive the allowances free of charge.

While the DEC will not release the final model rule for months, Environmental Advocates of New York is optimistic that the final climate pact will include the 100 percent allowance provision. By auctioning off these allowance, the state could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for energy efficiency, clean energy, and other programs to cut global warming pollution.

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Environmental Advocates of New York is the state’s government watchdog, holding lawmakers and agencies accountable for implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Environmental Advocates works alone and in coalitions, and has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The 501(c)(3) is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org.