Statement from NY Renews on LI Senators’ support for the Williams Pipeline
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: October 3, 2019
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | (646) 450-5461 | arielle@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
Statement from NY Renews on LI Senators’ support for the Williams Pipeline
Albany, NY -- NY Renews, a coalition of nearly 200 environmental justice, labor, faith, and community organizations fighting for climate justice in New York, released the following statement regarding the letter sent by Long Island Democratic Senators Todd Kaminsky, John Brooks, James Gaughran, Anna Kaplan, Monica Martinez, and Kevin Thomas urging conditional approval of the Williams Pipeline:
“We’re disappointed that the Senators who took the bold step of voting to pass the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the nation’s most aggressive climate policy, have backtracked on their support for immediate action on the climate crisis by urging approval of the Williams Pipeline. The Williams Pipeline is fundamentally at odds with the emissions reductions goals set out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We’re especially disappointed that Senator Kaminsky, the lead sponsor of the CLCPA, would sign a letter in support of a natural gas pipeline.
Natural gas is not a clean alternative; there is no such thing as a non-polluting fossil fuel. Under the CLCPA, New York is committed to the strongest climate and clean energy goals in the country, which in turn will spur innovation and create green jobs. All New Yorkers, including our representatives, must embrace this historic transition away from fossil fuels and the opportunity that comes with it.
Let’s be clear: in order to meet the ambitious emissions reduction goals set out in New York’s climate law, we must focus on clean energy, not construct new fossil fuel pipelines. Existing infrastructure should be retired as quickly as possible in favor of renewable sources of power. Millions of New Yorkers support a Just Transition to a renewable economy. We hope the Long Island Senators remain accountable to them, and not to the fossil fuel industry.”
About NY Renews:
NY Renews is a coalition of nearly 200 environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law, New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The coalition fights for good jobs and climate justice in New York State.
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