The New York State Senate and State Assembly have adopted a climate bill, which mandates cutting CO2 emissions by 85% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels and offsetting the remaining 15%, to make the US state carbon-neutral by 2050. The Climate and Community Protection Act, which will have to be signed by the governor to enter into force, should also require the state to reach 70% of renewable power by 2030 and to shift to a CO2-free power generation in 2040, eliminating thermal power generation. So far, the State of New York (20 millions inhabitants) currently produces around 60% of its power from CO2-free sources, mainly from hydropower and nuclear: the State bets on offshore wind and rooftop solar programmes, combined with large deployment of batteries, to boost renewable power generation.
Emission reduction efforts should also be made in other sectors, such as industry, building heating and transports. Around 1/4 of New York's emissions comes from commercial and residential buildings, which are mainly heated by gas or fuel oil and which should thus be revamped to run on renewable gas or CO2-free electricity. New York City recently approved a law on energy-efficiency for large skyscrapers. Decarbonising the transport sector could be tougher, as the federal administration is seeking to roll back federal vehicle efficiency rules and to prevent states to adopt stricter standards.
Five other states have passed bills aiming to reach 100% of CO2-free electricity by 2050 or earlier, namely California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Washington.
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