Res. No. 176
Title
Resolution in support of the Governor of New York State in the commitment to and facilitation of the development of large-scale offshore wind projects by 2030.
Body
By Council Members Richards, Rosenthal, Constantinides, Menchaca and Kallos
Whereas, Climate change is occurring at a rapid rate and the current trend of warming in Earth's climate system is clear and unprecedented; and
Whereas, The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere is a main cause of rapid climate change; and
Whereas, The principal human activity contributing to climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels for power; and
Whereas, According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the future rate and magnitude of climate change will depend on the rate at which greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth's atmosphere continue to increase; and
Whereas, Climate change is impacting New York City's public health, critical infrastructure, communities, vulnerable populations, natural systems, buildings and economy, and these impacts will worsen in the future; and
Whereas, New York State has set policy to reduce its contribution to climate change; and
Whereas, In 2009, Governor David Paterson issued Executive Order No. 24, establishing a goal to reduce the State's greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, relative to 1999 levels, by 2050; and
Whereas, In 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo reaffirmed the State's commitment to this goal; and
Whereas, In order to achieve this greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal the State must incorporate large-scale renewable energy projects into its power supply; and
Whereas, In August 2016, Governor Cuomo announced the establishment of New York's Clean Energy Standard which requires that 50% of New York's electricity come from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2030; and
Whereas, According to the New York State Energy Resea...
Click here for full text