NY Renews Statement on the State of the State
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: January 8, 2019
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | (646) 450-5461 | arielle@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
Albany, NY — NY Renews, the broad, multi-sector coalition that successfully campaigned for passage of the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, today released the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address:
“Last year, as a result of intense grassroots pressure, Governor Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into law. We’re disappointed that today, in his State of the State address, he did not include funding to begin to turn the landmark law into reality.
In order to transition off of fossil fuels and towards a just and renewable economy, we need significant investments — billions of dollars — in large scale renewables, building efficiency, and funds for community led projects and planning. These funds must be particularly focused in low-income communities and communities of color, as well as communities hosting fossil fuel projects. In short, we need to put money directly into New York State communities, laser-focused on the interrelated goals of a just society and a renewable economy. NY Renews is demanding this funding in the 2020 budget but no such funding was discussed in the State of the State today.
New York is one of the wealthiest states in the wealthiest country in the world — we have the resources to build a just transition to a renewable economy; what we lack is the political will. New York can’t wait for direct climate justice funding. We hope the governor’s budget, which he will announce later this month, and the budgets of the Assembly and Senate, reflect this urgent need.”
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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