Statement by NY Renews on One-House Budget Resolutions
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: March 12, 2019
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | (646) 450-5461 | arielle@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
Statement by NY Renews on One-House Budget Resolutions
The Climate and Community Protection Act: New York’s true climate justice agenda
In response to the release of the NY State Legislature’s one-house budgets, NY Renews — a coalition of over 160 environmental justice, labor, and community organizing groups across the state — issued the following statement:
We’re extremely pleased that the state legislature has decided to address climate policy outside of the budget process, with a focus on environmental justice. We have the opportunity to move New York through a just transition to a fossil-free future while building an economy that works for all through the Climate and Community Protection Act. This conversation is best held independent of the already-complex budget negotiations.
We must act this year to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act and invest in good, green jobs, healthy communities, and a fossil-free New York. For years, the Climate and Community Protection Act has represented a true climate justice agenda for New York. The bill not only sets aggressive emissions targets, but also invests in green jobs and public health in communities most impacted by the climate crisis.
Already this year, the New York State Legislature has taken historic steps to address our worsening climate crisis, including holding the body’s first ever hearings on climate change. We’re pleased with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ decision to address the climate crisis via a public, transparent legislative process, and to give this critical and transformative policy the conversation it deserves.
The Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) has been described by Heather McGhee and Robert Reich in The Nation as “the most progressive climate-equity policy we’ve seen.” The policy was developed with the leadership and input of communities on the frontlines of climate change, from New York City to Buffalo. It’s supported by a coalition of over 150 community organizations, including environmental justice groups, community organizations, and labor leaders.
The CCPA sets clear, enforceable standards to transition New York’s entire economy, including electricity, buildings, and transportation, off of fossil fuels by 2050. In addition, the CCPA is currently the only proposal put forth in New York to include justice-oriented equity provisions, including the following:
The CCPA mandates 40% of state funds spent on climate projects will be directed toward environmental justice communities, including low-income communities, communities of color, and communities most impacted by environmental destruction.
The CCPA mandates that state-funded green energy jobs must follow prevailing wage standards and, where applicable, offer apprenticeship programs.
The Climate and Community Protection Act is about more than just the environment. It’s about jobs, justice, and healthy communities. NY Renews thanks our climate champions who have pushed for this landmark legislation, and looks forward to working with the Senate, Assembly, and the Governor to pass the CCPA in 2019.
About NY Renews:
NY Renews is a nonpartisan coalition of almost 170 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, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, People’s Climate Movement NY, PUSH Buffalo, Sierra Club, Teamsters Local Council 16, and UPROSE.
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