Bill, subject of hearing, would force city to cut
global-warming pollution
Mayor Bloomberg opposes Council's New York City Climate Protection
Act
Thursday, June 22, 2006
By HEIDI J. SHRAGER
One of the most striking scenes in a new documentary about global
warming that stars former Vice President Al Gore shows the southern tip
of Manhattan being swallowed by water.
That and other catastrophic scenarios were the subject of a public
hearing yesterday to consider a new bill called the New York City
Climate Protection Act.
The bill, which is opposed by the Bloomberg administration, aims to
force the city to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other
heat-trapping gases within government operations by 20 percent by 2010,
and by 30 percent by 2021.
While the city has taken steps to curb emissions, this is the City
Council's first attempt to legally impose caps and force the city to
step up those efforts.
"When this city makes a clear, strong statement that global-warming
pollution is a grave threat to our health, environment and economy, and
that the city is committed to being a long-term leader in the fight
against it, then governments and others will listen and, I believe, will
follow our lead," said Councilman James Gennaro, lead sponsor of the
bill.
Gennaro (D-Queens), who chairs the council's Environmental Committee,
cited Columbia University's prediction that temperatures in New York
City will rise between four and 10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2080.
"The bill is essential, it's necessary, it should be acted on
quickly," said Ashok Gupta, senior energy economist with the Natural
Resources Defense Council.
But Dr. Robert R. Kulikowski, director of the mayor's Office of
Environmental Coordination, said the bill lacks rigorous scientific
analysis and imposes arbitrary standards.
"If we actually have a chance to sit down and talk about this with
more technical people, we can craft something that's probably even a
little more aggressive," he testified.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has publicly expressed concern about global
warming numerous times, most recently in a speech to graduate students
at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The city has curbed its emissions in recent years through such steps
as powering sewage treatment plants with fuel cells, expanding its use
of hybrid vehicles and passing legislation requiring new office
buildings to meet strict energy-saving standards.
Kulikowski said City Hall is open to working with the Council to
retool the bill, but noted that it is already drafting its own action
plan to reduce emissions within government operations.
Still, said Gupta, "Even with the mayor moving in the right
direction, legislation can help accomplish the goals."
Among the bill's 17 sponsors are Councilmen Andrew Lanza (R-South
Shore) and Michael McMahon (D-North Shore).
"I can understand this is a complex issue," said Lanza, adding that
the bill must be reworked with input from the administration. "It makes
sense on a number of different levels."
Stressing Staten Island's elevated levels of cancer and asthma, Lanza
said cleaner air will bring immediate health benefits to the borough.
Heidi J. Shrager covers City Hall for the Advance. She may be reached
at shrager@siadvance.com.
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