New York State will develop a new climate action plan, with the help of Brookhaven Laboratory, to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas pollution, while also building New York’s clean energy economy, Gov. David Paterson announced Thursday.
The initiative will take place throughout 2010 and will assess how all economic sectors can reduce pollution and adapt to global warming in ways that support economic growth, to help drive the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New York State by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
“It was clear that conventional thinking will not be enough to meet that challenge,” said J. Patrick Looney, associate director for policy and strategic planning at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton. “We will need bold and innovative thinking, technologies, and partnerships if we are to succeed.”
The Climate Action Council (CAC), headed by top New York State energy and environmental officials will conduct an extensive review with contributions from the public, industry, state and global energy and environmental experts and others, and they will issue a draft plan in September.
The first public outreach meeting on this process will be held Monday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m., at the New York State Museum in Albany. At that time, the public will be able to review current information and provide input on the process. There will be a second public outreach meeting on June 30.
“Attaining dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas pollution will require action on the part of every New Yorker,” said Gov. David Paterson. “But these changes are essential for providing future generations with a strong, healthy, and prosperous New York.”