GOVERNOR PATAKI RECEIVES “CLIMATE CHAMPION” AWARD AT 2005 GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE

Recognized for Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Initiatives and Environmental Protection

Contact: Press Office
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NEW YORK, NY— Governor George E. Pataki has been named a 2005 Climate Champion in recognition of his initiative, courage and leadership on global warming policy. The Governor will be honored this evening at the Global Warming Solutions 2005 Conference taking place at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The regional conference, organized by Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP), brings together government officials, scientists, industry leaders and other interested parties to discuss issues and solutions related to climate change.

“I’m honored to receive this award in recognition of New York’s leadership on issues related to climate change,” Governor Pataki said. “Our policies are helping to improve air quality, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new jobs and economic development that will benefit our residents and future generations.”

Clean Air - Cool Planet is the Northeast’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to finding and implementing solutions to global warming. CA-CP works with businesses, communities, and colleges in New England, New York, and New Jersey to help develop cost-effective solutions to fight climate change and promote environmental protection.

The Governor is being recognized for his leadership on climate change both in New York State and on a national and regional level. Over the past 10 years, the Governor has focused on reducing in-State contributions to greenhouse gas emissions through a number of policy initiatives including:

• In 2001, a Greenhouse Gas Task Force was established to assist New York in developing policy recommendations and strategies to reduce New York's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;
• New York's comprehensive State Energy Plan (adopted in 2002) established goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 1990 levels by 2010, with the goal increasing to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020;
• The New York Energy $mart Program, administered by NYSERDA, is estimated to have reduced annual CO2 emissions by about 1 million tons by year-end 2004 and is expected to reduce emissions by a total of over 2 million tons per year when fully implemented in 2006. These programs, funded for close to $1 billion since 1998, combine infrastructure development, awareness activities, and targeted incentive offerings to promote energy efficiency, energy market development and environmental protection;
• In 2000, Governor Pataki signed legislation to enact a State tax credit for the construction and rehabilitation of "green buildings." This new tax credit, a first-of-its-kind in the nation, will promote improved environmental standards in the design and construction of buildings in New York. An additional $25 million in credits was included in the 2005 budget for future building projects;
• At Governor Pataki’s direction, New York now has one of the most aggressive renewable portfolio energy standards in the nation, requiring 25% clean energy by 2013;
• New York has adopted the more stringent California zero emission vehicle rule, including proposed new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions;
• The Governor has issued Executive Order 111 requiring all State agencies, departments, and authorities to reduce energy use by 35% by 2010, relative to 1990 levels. The initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 1.4 million tons per year by 2010. In addition, State facilities must purchase 20% of their energy from renewable energy sources and 100% of light-duty non-emergency vehicles must be alternatively fueled by 2010.
• The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, proposed by Governor Pataki and approved by New York voters in 1996, included $55 million for clean-fueled vehicles and clean-fueled buses;
• New York has committed to developing an industry-leading biofuels industry by developing technologies to substitute bio-resources for petroleum-based products, components, or processes;

CA-CP’s Executive Director, Adam Markham noted that Governor Pataki’s positive influence has been even broader with his invitation two years ago to governors from Maine to Maryland to participate in a multi-state, regional collaborative that is helping the Northeast lead the nation in the effort to fight global climate change. The Governor’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is working to design and implement a flexible, market-based, cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the Northeast.

“Facing away from confrontation, the Governor sought a collaborative effort to develop a market-based cap and trade system within the power sector to reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” Markham said. “The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), established as a result of this invitation represents a major milestone in the way Americans are approaching the serious problems associated with global warming.

“It is with great hope that today we celebrate Governor Pataki’s important efforts in establishing this crucial regional initiative,” Markham added.

Clean Air - Cool Planet will present a total of six awards at its Global Warming Solutions 2005 conference. Other awardees include Governor John Baldacci; Bank of America; The Timberland Company; Middlebury College; and the City of Stamford, Connecticut.

The last Climate Champion Awards were presented, at CA-CP’s 2003 conference, to Shaw’s Supermarkets, the University of New Hampshire and Tufts University, and the City of Hull, Massachusetts.

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