New York's Response to Climate Change on New York: Monitoring, Reducing and Sequestering Carbon Dioxide

John P. Martin and Amanda D. Stevens
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany, NY

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is providing technical support for a number of initiatives that represent the foundation for New York’s climate change policy. The program targets the direct and indirect aspects of climate change on the state, including its energy infrastructure. Through the Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Program, NYSERDA is developing a strategy to monitor the direct impacts of climate change, quantify the potential ecological, public health, infrastructure, and economic impacts of climate change in New York State, and identify mechanisms to manage and mitigate risk. The major indirect impact of climate change will likely be the alteration of traditional energy consumption. Gas demand is becoming bimodal with a winter heating peak and a summer electricity generation peak. This is forcing a reevaluation of the natural gas delivery infrastructure. The development of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will directly impact the energy delivery system. Nine northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, including New York, comprise RGGI, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Key to this discussion is the possible development of a cap-and-trade program. A number of models have been developed to provide input into this effort. Under the RGGI framework, the reduction of methane emissions in the natural gas delivery system will be an offset. NYSERDA is working on the quantification and verification of methane emissions from the natural gas production and distribution infrastructure. Finally, programs to help develop carbon capture and sequestration in New York are now in place.

Presented AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2008 © AAPG Eastern Section