In response to reporting on Governor Hochul’s proposal to weaken New York’s climate law, Evergreen Action Vice President for States Justin Balik released the following statement:

“Governor Hochul’s proposal to delay and defang the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is deeply misguided. If enacted, it would expose New Yorkers to higher climate risks and an inefficient and expensive energy system for years to come. The governor has the power to implement the law in a way that prioritizes energy savings, and could deliver rebates to millions of households and make major efficiency gains that would make power more affordable and reliable for New Yorkers for the long haul. Instead, she has chosen to fear monger about the impacts of a version of the law that has never been on the table for implementation.

“As the governor herself has noted, the CLCPA is not yet in effect and energy costs are already skyrocketing. As long as New York’s grid is dependent on gas, ratepayers will be at the mercy of a volatile global commodity market. Doubling down on the very sources of energy that are driving up costs is not only a betrayal of New York’s climate leadership—but a guaranteed way to ensure New York’s energy system is further away from the more affordable future we know clean energy can provide. This proposal should be dead on arrival.”

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