New York State Assembly Passes the Climate and Community Protection Act

 

Governor, Senate need to show similar leadership

On April 25, 2018, the New York State Assembly passed the Climate and Community Protection Act (A. 8270B, Englebright) for the third consecutive session, by a margin of 99 in favor, 31 opposed. The bill commits the state to reaching 100% renewable energy production by 2050, with built-in labor standards for renewable projects and directed investment in historically disadvantaged communities. In response, NY Renews, a coalition of over 140 labor, community, environmental, and environmental justice organizations across the state, released the following statement:

“For the third year, Speaker Carl Heastie and the New York State Assembly have stood up for the health and safety of New Yorkers by tackling climate change head-on with a bold solution commensurate with the scale of the crisis. This bill ensures good jobs and invests in historically disadvantaged communities. Now, it’s time for the Governor and Senate to pass it into law.

We thank and commend the Assembly, especially Assemblyman Steve Englebright, for continuing to lead on climate change, which has devastating impacts on New Yorkers today. More than $33 billion in public health costs and at least 4,000 deaths annually in New York State are associated with the burning of fossil fuels. A future of extreme weather, heat waves, flooding, and day to day misery – which will hit especially hard in low-income communities and communities of color – looms if we do not act boldly, right away.

The Assembly is leading, but it cannot make this bill law on its own. In the coming weeks, the State Senate has a chance to pass this landmark legislation for the first time (S. 7971A). It’s vital for Governor Cuomo to stand up for the bold, progressive policy contained within the Climate and Community Protection Act. At a time of federal inaction on climate change, New York has the opportunity to lead the way. We must take this opportunity to create thousands of new jobs and protect the health of our communities. We again thank the Assembly for relentlessly pushing New York towards a safer, better future.”

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