STATE OF NEW YORK

EXECUTIvE CHAMBER
633 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10017

October 5, 2016
Blair Homer
New York Public Interest Research Group
9 Murray Street, Lower Level
New York, NY 10007
Dear Executive Director Homer:
It is unfortunate that your organization has decided to deal with a serious issueclimate
changewith a cheap stunt that not only misleads, but offers no workable alternatives.
Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo we developed a comprehensive and sensible plan to
combat climate change. In addition to lowering the RGGI cap, establishing the $5 billion Clean
Energy Fund, the nations largest Green Bank, and the $1 billion NY Sun solar initiative, the
Clean Energy Standard is a nation-leading program that mandates that 50 percent of New
Yorks power comes from renewable resources by 2030. Simply put, the Clean Energy
Standard is the largest commitment to emissions reductions and wind, solar, and other renewable
resources in New York States history. This 50 percent mandate puts New York at the lead of
major states and countries.
As part of the shift to 50 percent renewables and emissions reductions, New York must use all of
its existing carbon free power sources, including our upstate nuclear fleet, to continue our
progress on climate change. This is the cheapest and cleanest way to achieve our clean energy
and climate goals.
Even as we move faster to transition to a clean energy economy powered by renewables, we
cannot lose ground in our fight against climate change. Providing the bare minimum of support
to temporarily keep our upstate, zero-emission nuclear plants in operation prevents a massive
increase in harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
The alternative, as independent analysis has shown, would be worse. Without our upstate nuclear
fleet, 31 million tons of C02 would be released in just two years, the equivalent of adding 6
million cars to the roadresulting in an additional $1.4 billion in public health and other societal
costs. New York would have to rely on more expensive and dirtier power, like imported fracked
gas from Pennsylvania and other fossil fuel facilities.
Your claim that the Clean Energy Standard will cost an estimated $8 billion is deeply flawed and
predicated on the wrongheaded assumption that energy prices will stay the same as they are
today (currently at historic lows) through 2030. This is highly unlikely, and refuted by forecasts
from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Public Service Commission. Again,
independent analysis shows that the benefits from the Clean Energy Standard are worth $5
billion over the first two years of the program.

You offer no solution whatsoever to this problem. A 50 percent mandate cannot be met
overnight, just because you say it can.
Further, you fail to mention any of this in your grossly misleading press release. Your
irresponsible statements are wrong on substance, wrong on costs, and wrong on history. This
Administration has been one of the most aggressive in the nation in developing renewable
power. Calling the Clean Energy Standard a tax repeats the assertions of fossil fuel interests
and climate denial advocates. It ignores that doing nothing is costlier, and will sacrifice our
environmental future.
Governor Cuomo has made the fight against climate change a top priority. His signature energy
policy Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) has received international acclaim. Al Gore has
called it astonishingly comprehensive. Other environmental organizationsthe Sierra Club,
the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancysupport our comprehensive
program. You simply havent done your homework.
Are you willing to admit that your approach would immediately result in a massive increase in
greenhouse gas emissions?
Are you willing to accept and own the alternative possibility of importing fracked natural gas
and a greater reliance on other fossil fuels?
Your press release indicates that you are. That is not our opinion and is not an option.
Sincerely,

Richard L. Kauffman
Chairman of Energy & Finance for New York
Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo