Urge Governor Pataki to Cap Carbon from Power Plants to Combat Global Warming Power Plants & Energy Issues Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) caused by human activities surpass the amount of carbon dioxide the earth absorbs each year, creating a heat-trapping layer that blankets the earth. In New York and across the nation, power plants are the biggest individual emitters of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas responsible for raising global temperatures. Under current law, there is no limit to the amount of carbon dioxide power plants can emit. Last summer, Governor Pataki declared his intention to make New York a leader on global warming. At that time, the Governor formed the Greenhouse Gas Task Force to recommend state policies for reducing the pollution that causes global warming. The Task Force’s report is due this June. To live up to his pledge, the Governor must set a ‘cap’ (limit) on the amount of carbon dioxide power plants emit. There are sensible and cost-effective solutions to global warming. Simply modernizing the combustion equipment at the largest power plants would significantly reduce New York’s carbon dioxide emissions. Exploiting New York’s considerable untapped renewable energy resources (wind, solar, and biomass) and improving energy efficiency would take us even further toward a better environmental balance. A cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants would spur these kinds of investments. Act Now: What You Can Do Tell Governor Pataki to support a smarter, cleaner energy future by setting a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The cap should limit carbon dioxide emissions to 30% below 1990 levels and should be fully achieved by 2017. Now is the time to let the Governor know we want to cap emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants. A carbon cap is the best way to guarantee that we reduce global warming pollution now and in the future, and must be the cornerstone of New York’s global warming policy. To send a fax to the Governor urging him to cap power plant emissions of carbon dioxide, click here. Use the sample letter below, or write your own letter and send it by mail or email to Governor Pataki. Sample Letter: Dear Governor Pataki: I am writing to urge you to cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, and power plants are the largest individual sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Over the next century, global warming is projected to increase the severity and unpredictability of storms and floods and some scientists predict the seas could rise a foot or more. Up to 50-70 percent of the New York's maple forests might be lost and the state's $3 billion-a-year agriculture industry will be vulnerable to reduced yields. Climate change will also expand the areas at risk of insect-carried diseases such as Lyme Disease. Because of these adverse impacts to the environment, public health, and the economy, New York needs swift, concrete action on global warming. There are sensible and cost-effective ways we can meet our responsibility to reduce global warming pollution. A cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will jump-start investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy. These technologies have the added benefit of helping us meet health-based air quality standards and reducing acid rain, both pressing problems for the state. I appreciate that you recognize the importance of global warming, and that you created a Greenhouse Gas Task Force. I believe a carbon cap is essential to make New York a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as you pledged to do last summer. I look forward to seeing New York carry out that promise. Sincerely,

Power Plants & Energy Issues