wiredInUSA June 2019

Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

Coal phase-out

The of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted regulations that require all power plants to meet strict emissions limits, a move expected to phase out the state’s remaining coal-fired power plants by 2020. The DEC is also working on proposed regulations that would restrict NOx emissions from power plants meeting peak demand. In combination the rules would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. New York only has two remaining coal plants: the Somerset generating station near Barker, and the Cayuga station in the Finger Lakes. New York Department

Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged in December to bring the state to 100 percent clean energy, including nuclear, by 2040. According to Cuomo’s website, New York is the “first in nation” to phase out coal plants through regulation. Environmental advocates celebrated the state’s new regulations. Lisa Dix, a senior representative for the environmental group Sierra Club, said in a statement that New York “is leading the nation by finalizing the first-of-its-kind regulation. Limiting the most polluting power plants is key to making sure New York hits our goal.”

wiredInUSA - June 2019

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