$80 Million Held Hostage to Polluter's Lawsuit
Environmental groups went to court last month to defend the nation’s first plan to cut global warming pollution from power plants, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Five groups filed papers (http://www.eany.org/news/RGGIAmicusBrief_05202009.pdf) in State Supreme Court supporting New York in its defense against a lawsuit brought by a single power company, Illinois-based Indeck Energy.
Most power plants in the 10-state RGGI region are on board with the effort and have participated in three successful auctions of pollution allowances, also known as “carbon credits.” The next auction is June 17th.
The state authority responsible for managing RGGI proceeds (the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), isn’t spending auction revenue until the lawsuit is resolved. And that means the state’s energy efficiency and clean energy programs are missing out on more than $80 million thanks to one greedy power producer. Indeck filed its lawsuit back in January in an effort to get free pollution allowances, among other claims.
The “friend of the court” brief was submitted by Earthjustice and the Columbia Environmental Law Clinic on behalf of Environmental Advocates of New York, Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, Pace Energy and Climate Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
New York’s been a leader in the fight to cut climate pollution for more than 10 years. Along the way, a few bad actors have tried to slow down the nation’s first effort to cut global warming pollution. We think polluters’ concerns have been asked and answered, leaving Indeck the lone holdout dragging its feet.
We’ll let you know what the Court decides.
You can read more here.
No Bigger Better for Bottle Bill
In response to a suit brought by beverage giants and others, a federal court judge has delayed all amendments to New York’s bottle deposit law until April 1, 2010, including the escheat of the unclaimed deposits, the handling fee increase, and the expansion to include bottled waters. That means nickel deposit on your bottled waters and thousands of containers littering our roadsides, waterways, parks and other natural areas.
Bottle bill supporters were surprised to learn last week that Robert F Kennedy Jr. supports the beverage companies’ claims. A phone call before he went public would have been nice.
New York State can appeal the decision, and we hope for the sake of the environment that it does. It’s also possible that the State Legislature and Governor move quickly to pass a new bottle law this session.
It’s not over until it’s over. But for now, there’s no bigger better for New York’s bottle bill. We’ll keep you posted.
Click here to read an editorial in the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Cap Carbon - New York
We can make New York a “green” leader in the climate fight when we stand up and send a clear message to state lawmakers—it’s time to take action and cut global warming pollution.
Here are two ways that you can lend a hand in this fight.
The easy way: Sign our Cap Carbon New York petition and call on state leaders and lawmakers to make real reductions in the pollution that is changing our climate now and not later. Click here to sign.
The up-close-and-personal way: Join us for Cap Carbon Lobby Day in Albany and tell state lawmakers why New York can and should take action to help stop global warming now and not later.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th
WHERE: New York State Capital
FOR DETAILS: Contact our Air & Energy Program Associate, Jackson Morris at jmorris@eany.org.
Why now? The longer we wait, the more it will cost to avert the worst effects of climate change. So enough talking, it’s time to act.
Want to Renovate Green? Looking for salvaged cabinets or fixtures?
Go to www.bignyc.org and learn how you can green your home renovation with help from Build it Green! NYC.
Build It Green! NYC is the City’s only nonprofit retail outlet for salvaged and surplus building materials. Their warehouse has everything from panel doors to high-end refrigerators and shutters to movie props. Build It Green’s mission is to keep these materials out of the landfill, while offering deep discounts on their resale. The group is sponsored by Community Environmental Center and was founded in 2004.
Build It Green! NYC does kitchen demolitions, too. Replacing your kitchen with your dream kitchen? If it’s in good condition, Build It Green! NYC's fully insured deconstruction crews will deconstruct and remove your kitchen for FREE!
Not every kitchen fits the Build It Green! NYC bill. Call 718-777-0132 to find out.
Visit http://www.bignyc.org to learn more.
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Twitter helps people like our members across the state, people who care about the health of New York's environment, communicate and stay connected by exchanging quick updates, or “tweets” in real time. Click here to learn more about Twitter.
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Follow us on Twitter to stay connected to our work in New York's State Capital as the Legislative Session draws to a close.
Bills on the Move
Every week during the State Legislative Session, Environmental Advocates of New York looks at the measures that will impact the environment for good or ill. Here are this week’s Bills on the Move.
One tree for Hazardous Waste Liens. This bill would create an environmental lien on property in need of hazardous waste cleanup to ensure that New York State recoups costs when property owners file for bankruptcy. However, environmental liens are often the last to receive payment in such instances, and as such, the funds recovered may be inadequate to pay all debts. A better bill would prioritize the environmental lien and allow the state to collect from polluters before other entities.
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