Office of Climate Change Office of Climate Change

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Office of Climate Change

David Paterson

Pete Grannis

Governor

Commissioner

Office of Climate Change Focusing state responses to climate change

• Created in 2007, staff of 12.5 (8.5 filled) – Other DEC programs also integrating climate change

• Analyzes climate science – Provides reliable information to support policy, regulation – Promotes strategic technologies

• Builds climate partnerships – Works to empower governments, NGOs, individuals – Partners with local, state, federal agencies – Promotes planning, coordination and action

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Greenhouse Gases are Warming the Earth


Joint National Academies of Sciences Say … ‘The scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action.’


Climate Science Tells Us What We Need to Accomplish… • Reduce GHG emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels

• By 2050 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Key Pathways to 80x50 • Near-zero-carbon electricity • “Smart” electric transmission/distribution system • Carbon-free energy carriers for transportation • Carbon-neutral buildings • Low-carbon liquid fuels • Carbon sink maintenance/enhancement • Energy efficiency and conservation NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Familiar Strategies are now urgent! • • • • • • •

Smart growth Sustainable and walkable communities Urban renewal Transportation development Green buildings Ecosystem management Open space preservation NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) • 10 states • Cap and reduce carbon emissions • Focus on power sector – 25% of NYS’s GHG emissions

• Distribute allowances via auction • www.rggi.org NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

RGGI Reduction Requirements • • • • • •

Start in 2009 CO2 only Electricity units >25 MWe Initial cap: 186 million short tons CO2 Stabilize through 2014 Reduce by 10% by 2019 (~16% below BAU for the region) NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Use of Auction Proceeds • Renewable energy & energy efficiency – Residential, commercial, industrial & municipal: $230,620,000 – Transportation: $93,000,000 – Electric power supply & delivery: $103,400,000 – Sustainable agriculture & bioenergy: $10,000,000 – Multi-sector programs: $87,000,000

• Climate Smart Communities Support – $6,600,000


Future of RGGI? • Expansion – Additional states – Additional sectors

• Linkage – Western Climate Initiative – Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord

• Federal pre-emption: 2012-2017 – Exchange of RGGI allowances


Climate Change Solutions Program Climate Change Solutions Fund • State Climate Change Task Force • Climate action plan • 80 by 50???


SEQRA • Draft guidance – Energy use – GHG emissions – Mitigation – DEC lead agency

• EAF update


H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 – Waxman-Markey – Comprehensive energy legislation • • • •

Deploy clean-energy resources, Increase energy efficiency Cut global-warming pollution Transition to clean-energy economy


Waxman-Markey Reductions • CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6,HFC, PFC, NF3 • 83% of 2005 emissions by 2050 – Interim goals • 3% by 2012 • 20% by 2020 • 42% by 2030

– Affected sectors: • • • • •

Electricity generators Liquid fuel refiners & importers Flourinated gas producers Industrial sources, >25,000 tons CO2/yr Natural gas distribution companies NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Transportation • Electric-vehicle infrastructure – Smart-grid integration

• Regional deployment of gridconnected vehicles • Manufacturer retooling • California GHG tailpipe standards • State goals & MPO plans NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Waxman-Markey Allowances • Allotted to meet 3 goals: – Consumer protection from price increases – Assist transition to clean-energy economy – Spur energy efficiency & clean-energy deployment

• Allocated to specific groups: – – – –

Electricity-distribution companies Natural gas-distribution companies States to assist home oil & propane consumers States to build resilience

• ~17% of allowances auctioned – – – –

15% - Low-income energy-refund program 1.0%- Natural resource adaptation 0.5%- Green jobs & worker transition 0.1%- Climate change health protection & promotion NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Local Action is Crucial! • • • •

Consume energy in operations Manage solid waste Control land use Lead citizen action


Barriers • • • •

Funding Staff Expertise Political will


Climate Smart Communities Department of Environmental Conservation Energy Research & Development Authority Department of State Department of Public Service

Climate Smart Communities Program Information and assistance to • Reduce local energy use • Plan for adaptation • Identify possible state assistance


Pledge Climate Smart Communities 1. Pledge to Combat Climate Change 2. Set Goals, Inventory Emissions, Move to Action 3. Decrease Energy Demand for Local Government Operations 4. Encourage Renewable Energy for Local Government Operations 5. Realize Benefits of Recycling and Climate Smart Solid Waste Management NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Pledge Climate Smart Communities (II) 6. Promote Climate Protection Through Community Land Use Tools 7. Plan for Adaptation to Unavoidable Climate Change 8. Support a Green Innovation Economy 9. Inform and Inspire the Public 10. Commit to an Evolving Process


NYSERDA: Focus on Local Government

• Focus – Points-of-contact • One-stop “shopping” • Direct technical assistance

• Energy Smart Community Coordinators • Climate Smart Coordinators


Climate Smart Communities Acting locally to protect our climate Babylon Brookhaven Cohoes Hunter Ithaca (C) Larchmont New Rochelle Onondaga Co. Pound Ridge Skaneateles Syracuse Woodsburgh

Beacon Cairo Croton-on-Hudson Irondequoit Ithaca (T) Mount Vernon North Castle Port Chester Rensselaer Schenectady Co. Tompkins Co. Yonkers

Bethlehem Cazenovia DeWitt Islip Jewett New Castle North Hempstead Port Jefferson Saugerties Smithtown West Carthage


Office of Climate Change NYSDEC 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-1030 (518) 402-8448 [email protected] www.dec.ny.gov
