Supporters of RGGI mobilized and spoke out to uphold New York State’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) after a lawsuit was filed on June 28^th to ask for its withdrawal. Ten Northeastern states have committed to implementing this program which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by regulating power plants activities through a “cap-and-trade” system. Generator facilities are required to purchase allowances or credits to be allowed to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide.

This competitive bid price strategy poses heavy costs for consumers. In addition to the argument of the RGGI unconstitutional implementation in New York State, the lawsuit conducted by litigation counsel, Smith Valliere, affirms that New York State has allegedly collected over $320 million in unauthorized taxes from this massive regulatory program.

The pro-RGGI side opposes the return on investment from RGGI funds. Revenue from auctions of allowances (permits to emit one ton of CO2) are used to finance more efficient energy-saving programs. These efficiency savings then flow into the local economy, boosting economic output and increasing employment across the region.

Dan Hendricks, New York League of Conservation Voters’ communications director, represented the opposition at the Smith Valliere’s lawsuit press conference held outside the New York Supreme Court on June 28^th. He insisted on the RGGI’s raison d‘être as it aims to protect public health. Hendricks stressed that “we cannot afford not to protect the environment […] climate change is a real threat”. And thus it is “the responsibility” of a state representative to take decisive steps on clean energy, improve energy efficiency and create a more sustainable environment.

The environmental community, the clean energy community, and Governor Cuomo’s offices will certainly get their resources together, develop a strategy, and be ready to fight for New York State to remain in the green coalition of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).