33 Snyderwoods Court
							Amherst, NY 14226
							March 12, 2022

2019 Climate Act
Public Comment

As our New York State Leaders consider how to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, I wish to remind you that this law has been framed as “one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world.” I am highly skeptical that both the scope of this law and the timing of its implementation are in the best interests of the citizens of New York. In this regard, I ask a series of questions regarding this Act:

1. The Achievement of Zero-Emissions in New York State: is this thought to affect world climate or just political climate? I remind you that NYS generates only 3% of USA’s emissions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions); the USA generates only 15% of global emissions (https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data).  This means that NYS is responsible for only 0.45% of the world’s CO2 emissions.  How much will this effort cost the NYS taxpayer?

2. For the year 2021, NYS generated 20% less wind energy than the previous year.  Can we count on this technology as a dependable source of significant energy production?

3. Raising taxes on “fossil fuels” and discouraging their harvesting in NYS contributes to significant additional cost burdens of transportation.  For our lower-income residents which you recognize are disproportionately non-white, is this Act an example of systemic racism in government?

4. Costs for electricity are likely to increase under this Act.  How will this affect NYS in competition for business with other states? We are already challenged in this regard (Avg 14.87 cents per KWH) versus the national average (10.59 cents per KWH)  https://www.eia.gov/electricity/state/

I argue that this Climate Act is an ill-considered piece of legislation.  The implementation of this Act is starting at a time of high inflation and an already high cost of living in New York. This Act will result in a significant additional burden to New Yorkers with a negligible global effect.  Please stop this Act.

Gerald L. Peer