|
 |
Overview of Current New York State Climate and Energy Policies New York State has initiated or participates in programs on regional, state, and local levels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage energy independence, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reduction The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) New York is one of ten Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the RGGI cap and invest program. The New York CO2 Budget Trading Program (6NYCRR Part 242) and the CO2 Allowance Auction Program (21NYCRR Part 507) took effect January 1, 2009. Emissions of carbon dioxide from electric power generating facilities will be reduced ten percent by 2018. Auction proceeds support statewide investments in energy efficiency, renewable and clean energy, and innovative carbon abatement technologies, as guided by the RGGI Operating Plan. The Climate Registry The Climate Registry is a partnership of businesses, environmental organizations and states with standards for estimating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)). Twenty-one New York public and private organizations have enrolled as Founding Reporters and committed to inventory and report their emissions under the Registry's protocol. Adoption of California Vehicle Emissions Standards California is the only state that is not preempted by federal vehicle emissions standards and, as a result, is permitted to set stricter standards than those that apply to the nation as a whole. Once a rule has been adopted in California, other states seeking standards for a higher level of emissions controls are permitted to adopt such California standards as well. New York has adopted the most recent California standards, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars by 37 percent and from light trucks 24 percent by 2016. Regional Low-Carbon Fuel Standard The Regional Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is a market-based, technologically neutral emissions-performance standard under development by 11 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Pennsylvania) that will reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the region. The Transportation and Climate Initiative This initiative is a coordinated regional effort by 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachussetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia) to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions and further the development of a clean energy economy. The participating jurisdictions are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize our transportation system's reliance on high-carbon fuels, promote sustainable growth, address the challenges of vehicle miles traveled, and help build the clean energy economy. Climate Smart Communities This program includes ten-point pledge for municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change, and invest in green economies. Launched February 2009, the Climate Smart Communities Pledge has already been adopted by at least 85 New York communities. Office of Climate Change The charge of the Office of Climate Change is to lead development of programs and policies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and help municipalities and individuals adapt to the effects of climate change. In addition to implementing RGGI, the Office is developing the full suite of responses needed for significant emissions reductions and for successful adaptation to changing temperatures, sea levels, precipitation and other climate factors. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 45 by 15 Adopted in the 2009 State Energy Plan, this energy policy is designed to meet 45 percent of New York's electric energy needs from energy efficiency and renewable energy by the year 2015. Along with program requirements from the State s energy authorities, this policy is implemented by two key programs:
System Benefits Charge (SBC) The System Benefits Charge supports the implementation of a portfolio of energy efficiency and clean energy activities. The SBC program provides New York-based investment in research, development and demonstration of emerging energy technologies, supports business development of new companies that are providing innovative products and services, and provides support for accelerating the introduction into the market and use of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. This program also provides targeted energy efficiency services for low-income customers. Green Buildings The Green Buildings Tax Credit Program provides state tax credits to owners and tenants of eligible buildings that meet certain energy and environmental performance standards. Large commercial and residential buildings that meet these standards will have lower environmental impacts than buildings that would otherwise meet a lower level of performance, based on existing building codes. The program is also designed to provide general information and foster contacts among building design teams and building owners to help new and rehabilitated commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings achieve higher levels of energy and environmental performance. In addition to the tax credit program, a new incentive program to foster interest in high-performance single-family residential buildings has also been initiated. Renewable Energy Task Force Comprised of 20 private-sector and government representatives, the Renewable Energy Task Force issued a Report in February 2008, listing 16 specific policy and program recommendations which constitute a roadmap to significantly increase the use of renewable energy in New York. Recommendations include greater solar energy production, expanding the State's RPS, and business incentives to attract renewable energy producers and expand the State's "green collar" workforce. This Report has launched several successful initiatives, including the Vehicle Miles Traveled Task Force, a Renewable Fuels Roadmap and Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Supply For New York, and other projects which will provide the foundation to advance the recommendations into sound energy and environment programs (NYSERDA Report 10-05. April, 2010). Net Metering Net Metering allows electricity customers with qualified renewable energy systems including home-based solar and wind systems and farm-based waste digester systems to sell excess electricity generated by such facilities to the local utility. Several 2008 laws authorized expansion of the existing programs, increasing the maximum amount of energy that utilities are required to buy from host energy sites through net metering. State Operations Policies Designed to affect State government operations and improve the energy and environmental performance of State assets and resources, several programs have been initiated and implemented through Executive Order (EO). These EO actions include:
Climate Change Adaptation New York State Sea Level Rise Task Force The Sea Level Rise Task Force was created by the State Legislature in 2007 to assess sea level rise effects to the State's coastlines and to recommend protective and adaptive measures for coastal communities and natural habitats. The Task Force produced and released a report of recommendations on January 1, 2011. NYS Interagency Local Government Adaptation Workgroup This ad hoc workgroup facilitates development of recommendations for local adaptation planning, decision-support tool development and cooperative management of pilot projects. State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Vulnerability Assessments These habitat type vulnerability assessments and assessments of threats to species of special concern identify potential actions for SWAP. To download the free Adobe reader to open ".PDF" files, go to:
|
|
|
|
| . |