New Clean Energy Goals Strengthen New York’s Role as a Climate and Energy Leader

(NEW YORK, NY – January 13, 2016) New York solidified its role as one of the nation’s top clean energy leaders today during Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address. The goals aim to reduce carbon emissions, the main contributor to climate change, by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. New York will also phase out coal-fired power plants by 2020, while simultaneously moving forward on the goal of drawing 50 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2030. To further bolster these commitments, Governor Cuomo has committed $300 million –an unprecedented sum– to the State Environmental Protection Fund.

“Building on New York’s long legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship, Governor Cuomo’s commitment to renewable energy will spur the clean energy economy and move New Yorkers toward a safer, healthier energy future. Drawing half of New York’s power from homegrown, renewable sources over the next 15 years will create local jobs, reduce harmful pollution, and give customers more choice and control. As one of the strongest renewable energy mandates in the country, this new commitment bolsters the goals of New York State’s unprecedented ‘Reforming the Energy Vision’ initiative to create a resilient 21^st-century energy system.”

• Rory Christian, Director, New York Clean Energy, Environmental Defense Fund