The pollution reduction and clean energy targets would be the most ambitious in the nation, matched only by California.

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today an ambitious plan to curb New York states carbon emissions by 40 percent by doubling the amount of power it gets from renewable energy to 50 percent, by 2030. The pollution reduction and clean energy targets would be the most ambitious in the nation, matched only by California. The plan comes as the United States Environmental Protection Agency gets ready to release the final Clean Power Plan, the nations first limit on global warming pollution from power plants, later this summer.

Heather Leibowitz, Environment New Yorks Director issued the following statement:

"Governor Cuomos clean energy plan puts New York right where it should be—at the front of the pack. The goals in this plan are ambitious yet achievable, and put New York on a path toward national and international climate leadership. The plan also reinforces that cleaning up power plants is achievable, desirable and has real benefits for citizens and the world. Furthermore, it shows that states can accomplish much more than the minimum steps the federal government is asking states to take.

"The effects of climate change are more and more evident across the country and the world every day—from Hurricane Sandy to the record drought in California—and we have an imperative to act now. The governor has created a blueprint for state action to reduce pollution and shift to clean renewable energy like wind and solar.

"This is exactly the type of action we need from states across the country as we prepare for the international climate talks in Paris later this year and President Obamas Clean Power Plan. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomos office to ensure this plan becomes a reality."