As the federal government steps back from actions aimed at improving energy affordability, climate resilience and public health protection, the state of New York is stepping up its efforts to achieve those goals.
Recently, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released proposed regulations to strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to achieve affordable and effective reductions in pollutants contributing to extreme heat, damaging flooding, and other harmful climate impacts.
The regulatory updates follow a multi-state comprehensive stakeholder program review that ensures access to sufficient RGGI emissions reduction allowances to meet expected energy demand and bolsters price protection for consumers. The funds support investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy and electrification that ultimately provide savings to utility ratepayers.
DEC’s proposed RGGI updates would reduce the regional emissions cap to approximately 69.8 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2027, then decline 89 percent relative to the 2024 cap through 2037. This would result in carbon dioxide emissions decreasing by approximately 10 percent annually through 2033, followed by 3 percent annually until 2037.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.?
