Today, state lawmakers are considering Governor Paterson's proposal to steal $90 million from a pool of energy efficiency funds, auction proceeds generated by New York’s role in the nation's first plan to reduce global warming pollution for budget relief.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first plan in the country to reduce climate pollution from power plants. Using this money for anything other than energy efficiency and clean energy is a big mistake.
The State Legislature meets today to address the budget deficit. Tell your representatives: Hands off New York’s energy funds!
Raiding the State’s energy funds sets a dangerous precedent for the nation’s first-ever market-based plan to reduce global warming pollution. While this one-time contribution may help balance New York’s books in the short run, it pales in comparison to the long-term job creation and investment benefits, as well as reductions in climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, the monies would have achieved.
RGGI's success hinges on the wise use of revenue generated by allowance auctions. The RGGI raid jeopardizes this critical program and serves as a bad example to other cash-strapped states.
ACT TODAY! Tell state lawmakers: Hands off New York's energy funds!
