Hudson Valley Residents Testify for Climate Justice Legislation
Labor and Community Groups Push for Landmark Climate Bill at Senate-Led Hearing
March 1, 2019
Contact:
Daniela Lapidous | daniela@nyrenews.org | 408-505-8010
New Paltz, NY -- The fifth hearing by the New York Senate Majority on the Climate and Community Protection Act will take place today in New Paltz, led by Senators Jen Metzger and Senator James Skoufis. The hearing begins at 2pm at New Paltz Village Hall.
Following hearings in Albany, NYC, Long Island, and Syracuse, the coalition applauds the leadership of Senators Metzger and Skoufis in bringing the opportunity to engage with this critical legislation to Hudson Valley residents, who are already impacted by climate change and stand to benefit from the transition to a 100% renewable economy.
Members of NY Renews -- a statewide coalition of over 160 organizations fighting for climate policies grounded in equity and justice for communities and working people -- plan to testify today in support of the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA).
Selected testimony to be delivered today by New Yorkers in support of the Climate and Community Protection Act:
“I stand here today as the father of a 13 year old American and native New Yorker. If we fail to rise up to the challenge of mitigating the climate crisis, I shudder to contemplate the kind of world she will inherit at the age of 25, the very moment when she is ready to step into the exciting world of adulthood. Thank you to our two Senators, who are taking action on this crisis by supporting the Climate and Community Protection Act.”
Samrat Pathania
New Paltz Climate Action Coalition
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“We are not facing the possibility of climate change. The climate crisis is happening and we have to get off our addiction to fossil fuels. It is time to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act and show the country that a state can take action to ensure a better future for our people and the planet.”
Wes Gillingham
Associate Director
Catskill Mountainkeeper
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“The bottom line is exceptionally clear: New Yorkers will enjoy substantial economic gains under a comprehensive renewable energy transition as proposed in the CCPA. Thus, the self-interested question proffered by opponents of the energy transformation we so clearly need is literally turned on its head: how can we afford not to achieve zero GHG emissions economy-wide by investing in a complete and accelerated renewable energy transition? That’s what our elected leaders should be asking themselves—and thankfully many are—if they care about jobs, opportunity, and well-being for the people of New York State.”
Lew Daly
Senior Policy Analyst
Demos
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More on the CCPA: The CCPA establishes aggressive mandates to ensure New York’s economy is powered by 100% clean, renewable energy in the next 30 years; thereby significantly reducing climate pollution that harms our public health, environment, and economy. The bill sets a clear plan and accountable mandates for doing so equitably across all sectors of the economy, prioritizing climate and environmental justice and the creation of good, sustainable jobs across the state.
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