Carbon Free New York Releases Statement on DEC Social Cost of Carbon Proposal
The Carbon Free New York coalition, which includes environmental, clean energy and renewable and labor groups, today released the following statement on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Social Cost of Carbon proposal.
In the fight against climate change, setting a social cost of carbon is an effective way to assess the well-documented, negative impacts of greenhouse gas pollution on New Yorkers. We are encouraged to see the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) release of guidelines for state agencies to value carbon emissions, the results of which could be transformative in achieving our nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Specifically, setting this cost on carbon also helps inform the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) carbon pricing proposal, the most important tool we have to help the state meet its clean energy goals faster and more cost-effectively, while also reducing emissions and improving public health. We thank the DEC for moving ahead with the proposal and look forward to its implementation in the state’s energy sector.