NY Renews Responds to Senate Hearings on the Climate and Community Protection Act

February 15, 2019

Contact:
Daniela Lapidous | 408-505-8010 | daniela@nyrenews.org

At the close of three historic hearings held by the New York State Senate on climate change and the Climate and Community Protection Act, the NY Renews coalition issued the following statement:

We again commend Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Environmental Conservation Chair Kaminsky for holding these hearings on the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA). It was heartening to see participation of legislators from both the Senate and Assembly, especially chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Steve Englebright.

These legislators heard numerous witnesses testify just how the Climate and Community Protection Act will benefit every area of New York State.

Climate experts testified that the goals put forward are necessary and achievable.

Economists testified that fully implementing the CCPA will generate tens of thousands of good, green jobs.

Academics and business leaders testified that technology can support the CCPA goals.

Community leaders testified that a just transition toward a 100% renewable energy economy will lift-up frontline communities.

And regular citizens testified to the terrible toll that climate change has takes on families and the need for immediate action.

It is clear that the Climate and Community Protection Act is the way forward on climate for New York. Now is the time to act.

NY Renews is an unprecedented statewide coalition of over 160 organizations fighting for climate policies grounded in equity and justice for communities and working people. We are community-based organizations, environmental justice groups, labor unions, and other advocates working together to ensure New York achieves ambitious and far-reaching climate solutions.

The Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA), which has passed the Assembly in each of the past three years, would eliminate all of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while protecting workers and mandating investments in the communities hardest hit by climate change. Independent estimates state that fully implementing the CCPA will generate tens of thousands of jobs.

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