Regulates the emissions of carbon dioxide by major electric generating facilities

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to regulating the emissions of carbon dioxide by major electric generating facilities

Purpose

To address the environmental and public health impacts of carbon dioxide emissions by capping major electric generating facilities' carbon dioxide emissions at 25% less than the total 1990 level by January 1, 2012.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the bill is legislative intent.

Section two of the bill adds a new section 19-0312 of the environmental conservation law that requires DEC to promulgate regulations requiring major electric generating facilities to cap carbon dioxide emissions at 25% less than the total 1990 level by January 1, 2012.

Section three of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

Global warming is a matter of increasing concern for public health, the environment and the economy of New York. Global warming threatens New York's environment and economic security through projected changes in temperature, precipitation and sea level. These changes harm natural ecosystems and threaten industries such as agriculture, forestry, fishing and tourism. Furthermore, the health of New Yorkers is threatened by global warming and scientists have concluded that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will decrease air pollutants that are known to cut short lives and trigger respiratory ailments such as asthma.

A significant cause of global warming is the emission of air pollutants known as greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Among the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is emitted in the greatest amount and is of primary concern. New York State, as a world economic power in its own right, is a major contributor of world greenhouse gas emissions.

Control and reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases are critical in order to slow and reduce the effects of global warming. Fossil-fuel burning electric generating units are the largest individual sources of carbon dioxide, and the fossil-fuel burning electric generating units together account for approximately one-quarter of annual emissions of carbon dioxide from New York. Control of emissions from electric generating units is necessary for New York to reduce the threat posed by global warming. This bill will accomplish that by capping major electric generating facilities' carbon dioxide emissions at 25% less than the total 1990 level by January 1, 2012.

Legislative history

2007-2008: S.4361 2005-2006 S.2730

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

Immediately.