Global climate change poses a serious threat to the Adirondack Park. Warming temperatures will change the Park's entire ecosystem, driving out native species. Water quality and quantity, as well as industries including tourism and agriculture will be degraded and altered, and many of the unique habitats in the Park will not survive. The Adirondack Council is currently working on a number of measures that will help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and help our region slow the progression of global climate change.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
In 2003 Governor George Pataki invited governors from across the northeast to join him in forming the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). (www.rggi.org) The goal was to develop a trading system for carbon dioxide emissions, like the trading system currently in place for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, in order to reduce emissions throughout the region. RGGI, which has been operating since 2008, has conducted quarterly auctions since September 2008. Ten states originally participated in the program, however, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has announced his intentions to remove New Jersey from the program by the end of 2011.

The Adirondack Council has been participating directly in the auctions since the inaugural one. To date, we have purchased 13,000 allowances equaling the right to emit 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Our goal is to permanently retire these credits with the help of our members via our Cool Park. Healthy Planet program.

The goal of RGGI is not only to design a trading system for the northeast region, but to develop a system that could be expanded to other regions or nationwide. Two other regional programs have been developed using the RGGI model. The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) currently has six states and four Canadian provinces moving forward with a similar reduction plan. The Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord is the latest regional program and includes six states and one Canadian province.

In June 2011, several New York residents, with the backing of ultra conservative advocacy groups, filed a lawsuit attempting to get New York out of the RGGI program because it was never approved by the legislature, but instead approved by regulatory action. The Adirondack Council supports New York's efforts in defending itself against this lawsuit.

State Legislation
During the 2011 Legislative session, the Adirondack Council advocated for legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) and Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Ranking Member Senator Tony Avella (D-Whitestone) The bill passed the Assembly, but unfortunately stalled in the Senate.

Federal Legislation The Council continues to call on Congress to pass the national legislation to reduce emissions. In 2009, the Adirondack Council worked closely with Rep. John McHugh to ensure his support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 219-212, with McHugh one of only seven Republicans to vote for the bill, after acid rain provisions were added. It was not taken up by the Senate.

Rev. 8/11