Eleven Members of Congress, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velázquez, endorse the Climate and Community Protection Act
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: June 4, 2019
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | (646) 450-5461 | arielle@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
Eleven Members of Congress, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velázquez, endorse the Climate and Community Protection Act
Landmark climate justice legislation is currently under consideration in the NYS Senate and Assembly
New York, NY – In a letter to New York State lawmakers, Congressmembers Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Eliot Engel (NY-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Gregory Meeks (NY-5), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), José Serrano (NY-15), Tom Suozzi (NY-3) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), announced their support of New York State’s Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA, S.2992/A.3876).
In their letter, the Congressmembers wrote,
“The Climate and Community Protection Act (‘CCPA’) calls for good jobs for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, allocates a significant (40%) investment of state climate funds to communities at the front lines of climate change and pollution, and empowers New Yorkers to sue the government and corporations for failing to enforce or comply with the law. If enacted, the law will establish a new Climate Justice Working Group to advise on rules and regulations and to ensure the most disadvantaged New Yorkers have a seat at the table as we build economic mobilizations through New York State’s energy transformation. Lastly, we accept the CCPA’s challenge for the state to reduce its anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions every five years until they reach zero in 2050...
…Indeed, the several states have historically been the laboratories of democracy, and the Green New Deal resolutions purport to inspire the greatest ideas of our generation. We believe the people-led Climate and Community Protection Act before you in Albany presents such an opportunity for New York; an opportunity to cure the injustices of the past and to secure, with intent, a just transition into the future.”
The Climate and Community Protection Act (S2992/A3876) establishes aggressive mandates to ensure New York achieves a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 30 years. Under the CCPA, 40% of state energy and climate funds used to propel the transition must be invested in low-income communities and communities of color. In addition, the CCPA would attach fair labor standards, including prevailing wage standards, to green projects receiving state funding.
“With their support of the Climate and Community Protection Act, these six members of the NY Congressional delegation are standing up for New York communities,” said Jose Lopez, Co-Organizing Director of Make the Road NY, and NY Renews Steering Committee Member. “The climate crisis impacts everything about our lives, from housing to health to transportation. The Climate and Community Protection Act recognizes that addressing climate change isn’t just about securing a livable future – it’s about justice in our communities today.”
The CCPA has passed the New York State Assembly in the past three legislative sessions, and is currently sponsored by a majority of State Senators. This year, both Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have pointed to CCPA as the way forward for climate policy in NY.
About NY Renewss:
NY Renews is a nonpartisan coalition of over 180 member organizations. The coalition seeks a sustainable future for the earth and its people, recognizing that climate change represents a threat to all and especially to vulnerable people such as workers, people of color, seniors, youth, and the poor. NY Renews believes that the climate crisis and the inequality crisis can be solved with the same set of policies, and that climate protection must serve as a means to challenge racial injustice and bring about greater economic equity.
The NY Renews Steering Committee includes: 32BJ SEIU, ALIGN -- Alliance for a Greater New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Center for Working Families, Citizen Action of New York, Demos, Environmental Advocates of New York, GreenFaith, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Make the Road New York, New York State Nurses Association, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, People’s Climate Movement NY, PUSH Buffalo, Sierra Club, Teamsters Local Council 16, and UPROSE.
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