Officials announce ban of coal-fired power plants by 2020
ALBANY, N.Y. >> Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced New York state is building on its nation-leading actions to ensure cleaner air for New Yorkers and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions by banning coal-fired power plants.
The governor announced that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted final regulations requiring all power plants in New York to meet new emissions limits for carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
The regulations, a first-in-thenation approach to regulating carbon emissions, will achieve the Governor’s goal to end the use of coal in New York state power plants by the end of 2020.
“As our federal government continues to support the dying fossil fuel industry, deny climate change, and roll back environmental protections, New York is leading the nation with bold climate action to protect our planet and our communities,” Cuomo said in a news release.
“With the adoption of these final regulations, we are taking yet another step toward a cleaner, greener, long-term energy solution to safeguard the environment for generations to come,” Cuomo added.
“These regulations will limit carbon dioxide emissions at power plants in New York, continuing our efforts to protect the environment,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
“This requirement builds on our aggressive goals to advance clean energy and reduce greenhouse gases. We are committed to ensuring a cleaner coal-free environment for future generations as we work to combat climate change,” Hochul added.
In addition, earlier this year New York released proposed regulations to restrict NOx emissions from peaking power plants. Coupled with the coal regulations adopted today, these proposed regulations will improve air quality and protect public health by placing new, stringent requirements on peak-use power plants.
Delivering on the Governor’s 2016 State of the State pledge to go coal-free by 2020, and 2018 State of the State directive to DEC to develop the rules to fulfill it, the regulations will tighten the state’s CO2 Performance Standards for Major Electric Generating Facilities by establishing CO2 emission rate requirements for existing major electric generating facilities. This will ensure the state’s remaining coal-fired power plants transition to cleaner, alternative sources of energy or shut down by 2020.
The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State on May 9, 2019, and are fully effective on
June 8, 2019.
In February, DEC released proposed regulations to substantially reduce NOx emissions from the “peaking” power plants operating on the hottest days with the most air pollution. These dirty, inefficient plants are also sources of carbon pollution. These regulations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help achieve 40 percent by 2030 and shift to 100 percent clean electricity by 2040.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “While the federal government and the EPA continue to fail to protect our communities from the daily threat of air pollution and the growing threat of climate change, New York is leading the way to a cleaner, greener future. Instead of relying on the polluting fossil fuels of the past, New York is focused on the carbon-neutral energy of the future, as directed by Governor Cuomo. The regulations adopted today represent real action on climate change. By eliminating the burning of coal for electricity, New York is cementing our place in history as the nation’s leading environmental champion and helping all our communities realize the economic potential of environmental funding and climate action.”
“I commend Governor Cuomo’s bold stance on supporting the clean energy industry. By making New York power plants coal-free by 2020, we’re leading the way in an important transition - investing in clean energy sources and paving the way for new green jobs,” Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.
“Governor Cuomo is unleashing New York’s ability to invest in a clean energy transition that is critical to stemming the tide on climate change and driving an enormous economic development opportunity. The State’s nation-leading goals have enabled us to grow renewable energy resources faster than anticipated, propelling the State toward a carbon-free power grid by 2040 and today’s regulations build upon that momentum toward a carbon-neutral economy that protects the health of our citizens and environment,” Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said.