New York carbon goals among the most ambitious

John Ferro, Poughkeepsie Journal

For New York to achieve its goals in the Obama administration's plan to reduce carbon emission from power plants, the state will have to do more than cut back on dirty fuels. The EPA on Monday released its plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030, as compared to levels in 2005.

Power plants are the largest contributors of carbon to the atmosphere. And coal-fired plants are the dirtiest, responsible not just for large volumes of the heat-trapping gas that is a leading contributor to climate change, but also for smog and soot.

Addressing global warming and climate change is going to require taking drastic measures soon," said Dr. Kari Reiber, commissioner of the Dutchess County Health Department. "I can only applaud the EPA initiative and hope it is enough."

Under the plan, which is sure to be challenged legally and legislatively, each state has specific goals to meet.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2014/06/02/nw-york-carbon-emissions/9890021/