AG Schneiderman Applauds Ruling By New York's Top Court On Key State Effort To Combat Climate Change

LongIsland.com

Court Of Appeals Rejects Attempt To Block Implementation Of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Print Email
New York, NY - April 3, 2014 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today applauded a ruling by the New York Court of Appeals that denied the appeal of a lawsuit aimed at blocking New York State's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state effort to reduce emissions of pollution that contribute to climate change. The plaintiffs brought their appeal to the state’s highest court after a state appellate court last year dismissed the case. Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement on today’s decision:
 
“I applaud today’s Court of Appeals decision that rejected a legal challenge to New York State’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a multi-state effort and is a key component of our state’s efforts to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change. The court’s ruling is a victory for all of us who recognize the dangers of climate change and the need to take immediate action to confront the unprecedented risk that it presents to New York and our nation. My office will support and defend sensible efforts, like RGGI, that can achieve significant reductions in climate change pollution and help to protect the health and welfare of New Yorkers.”
 
Today’s decision denied the plaintiffs' request to appeal to the high court from the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department's ruling affirming the dismissal of their claims. The dismissal by that court came after the plaintiffs, backed by out-of-state organizations, had appealed a decision by an Albany trial-level court in June 2012 dismissing the suit.
 
Attorney General Schneiderman defended RGGI before the court in all of these actions. For more information on the case, click here and here.