Statement from attorney Abigail Dillen, coal program director for the environmental law firm Earthjustice, responding to news today that the nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) are committing to multiple new steps to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions starting with an additional 45 percent reduction next year. This will be followed by additional reduction of the CO2 “budget” by 2.5 percent each year from 2015 to 2020 and other steps to reduce reliance on dirty fossil fuels, especially coal. RGGI is the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Abigail Dillen, coal program director for the environmental law firm Earthjustice, said:

“Today’s announcement shows bold leadership from Governor Cuomo and other officials across the Northeast. In the wake of superstorm Sandy, New Yorkers are keenly aware of the need to address the causes of climate disruption. Strengthening RGGI promises to move us more rapidly toward the clean energy solutions that we desperately need.”