Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) announced today that the Assembly has passed legislation that would stimulate further research on a variety of methods aimed at avoiding, abating, and mitigating greenhouse gases by providing grants up to $150,000 to New York State researchers (A.3414-A).

“The issue of global climate change is a matter of significant concern for the environment, economy, and people of this state,” Magnarelli said. “Everyday human activity adds to the amount of green house gases in the earth’s atmosphere. It is my goal that in supporting research, new technologies will be discovered that will succeed in reducing greenhouse gases.”

New York State is a major contributor of greenhouse gases and an important player in the global economy. New York State is also home to a vast number of research institutions that have already taken a leadership role and have initiated research into global warming and climate change issues.

“While substantial effort has been devoted to the important task of developing alternative energy source and energy conservation, there continues to be serious concern with the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere,” Magnarelli said.

Many scientific professionals anticipate that average global temperatures and sea levels will continue to rise throughout the twenty-first century as a result of continued atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, and methane.

“Unfortunately, current technology and existing techniques are insufficient to meet the ever growing need to reduce and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases on our society. New York is well positioned to become a global leader in this important and growing research field,” Magnarelli said. “Failure to acknowledge an ever growing body of scientific evidence and act to change this disturbing pattern would be short sighted and irresponsible. I strongly urge my colleagues in the Senate to act on this vital bill before the end this legislative session.”