IT'S TIME FOR NEW YORK TO PULL THE PLUG ON RGGI – Jan. 16, 2012

Since 2008, New York state has participated in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade scheme that is doing little for the environment but is killing jobs, bankrupting power plants, reducing revenues for localities and jeopardizing the reliability of our electrical grid.

New Yorkers were dragooned into RGGI by executive order of then-Gov. David Paterson. Implemented by regulatory fiat, RGGI was never voted on by state lawmakers; this is taxation without representation.

RGGI required 10 northeastern and mid-Atlantic states to impose a cap-and-trade program on electricity-producing companies. A state sets a limit (the "cap") on the carbon dioxide emissions for each power plant. The utilities must either buy or "trade for" allowances for every ton of emissions over the cap. The number of allowances available will be steadily reduced, driving up costs. RGGI was intended to force companies to reduce carbon emissions, but it will mainly swell compliance costs for power producers and utility bills for consumers.

RGGI may have contributed to the recent bankruptcy of the AES Cayuga power plant. The AES Somerset plant in Niagara County also has filed for bankruptcy after being assessed a $10 million RGGI carbon permit fee.

This directly affects local taxpayers. AES Cayuga has payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements with Tompkins County, the Town of Lansing and the Lansing Central School District. These agreements are being renegotiated downward. AES Somerset was the largest property taxpayer in Niagara County and in the Barker Central School District.

Carbon permit fees are touted as support slated for green initiatives, but Paterson snatched the appropriated $90 million to balance the fiscal year 2010 budget, treating this as tax revenue.

Currently, 17 upstate New York power plants, which account for hundreds of jobs and hundreds of thousands in taxes, are threatened by RGGI. We need to attract good jobs into upstate New York; RGGI diktats are repelling businesses.

New Jersey already has withdrawn from RGGI. Gov. Chris Christie stated, " ... (O)ur analysis of ... RGGI reveals that this program is not effective in reducing greenhouse gases and is unlikely to be in the future." Schuyler County, Niagara County and seven upstate cities and towns have called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers to get New York out.

Lisa Thrun, grassroots chair of the New York Chapter of Americans for Prosperity,describes the impact of RGGI on upstate New York. Thrun estimates that RGGI has already cost New York businesses and ratepayers $344.8 million, with no discernible impact on the environment.

Tlis article is courtecy of Edward Weissman and Janis C. Kelly. Weissman is chair of Forward Thinking, the Ithaca Tea Party group. He also is Ward 3 chair of the City of Ithaca Republican Party. Kelly is chair of the City of Ithaca Republican Party.

Spencer-Van Etten TEA Party

Spencer NY 14883

Spencer-Van Etten TEA Party

Spencer NY 14883

Governor Andrew Cuomo

Spencer Jan 18, 2012

The Spencer – Van Etten TEA Party in their meeting of Jan 3, 2012 unanimously decided to support the repeal of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The RGGI is enormously expensive, and also accelerates job losses that New York State cannot afford.

We urge you to repeal this job killing over-regulation.

Best Regards,

Spencer-Van Etten TEA Party

Spencer NY 14883

Assemblyman Gary Finch

Spencer Jan 18, 2012

The Spencer – Van Etten TEA Party in their meeting of Jan 3, 2012 unanimously decided to support the repeal of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The RGGI costs money and amplifies job losses that New York State cannot afford. Assemblyman Chris Friend has introduced repeal legislation regarding this in the Assembly.

We hope that you will join us and your colleague Friend in this effort by joining repeal legislation in the NY Assembly.

Enclosed a short explanation of the issues. Hyperlinks for further information are also on our website under "Current call to action"

We recently listened to a presentation by Lisa Thrun. During the Q and A she mentioned that you have not so far supported the repeal. Please let us know before our next meeting which is on Feb. 7, 2012 if this is something you where you would join the fight on our side.

Best Regards,

Patrick Swartwood Rainer Langstedt