Impact of potential cuts
on state's energy planning process uncertain

NEW YORK - The cuts that Gov. David Paterson proposed in emergency budget plan today would significantly undercut the state's momentum toward a clean energy future, according to the New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make the environment a top policy and political priority in New York State.

The proposed cuts would also set a deeply troubling precedent, by allowing nearly all remaining funds from the state's pioneering Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be diverted away to fill the state's budget gaps. Those cuts would appear to contradict the spirit of the governor's January State of the State address, in which Gov. Paterson named clean energy as one of his top three priorities.

"The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was created to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and cutting edge clean-energy technologies, not to serve as a reserve fund for other state programs," said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "We look forward to working with the Assembly and Senate leadership, as well as with Governor Paterson's budget team, to protecting the integrity of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and upholding the state's commitment to a clean energy future."

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ten Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states - including New York - have committed to capping and then reducing CO₂ emissions from the power sector 10% by 2018.

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The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.