WASHINGTON (May 17, 2018)—New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans today for the state to require all power plants to adhere to tighter carbon dioxide emission standards. Carbon dioxide emissions from human activity are the primary driver of climate change, and coal power plants remain one of the biggest contributors to global warming.
Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
“The low carbon, clean energy movement is alive and well, and states like New York are taking up the reins of clean energy leadership.
“The Trump administration may have their fingers in their ears, but the reality is clear: Coal power is on its way out. More than one-third of the nation’s coal-fired electricity is either already slated to go offline or is more expensive to operate than existing cleaner technologies. While the administration looks to the past, New York is moving towards a clean energy future.
“The administration has dug its heels in on a losing bet, from attempts to subsidize coal plants, to repealing the Clean Power Plan, the only national plan the U.S. has for cutting emissions from power plants. Nevertheless, states are taking steps to pick up the slack and have a smooth, just transition away from fossil fuels.”