NY Renews calls for public audit of state agencies to ensure funds invested in disadvantaged communities
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: July 16, 2020
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | (646) 450-5461 | arielle@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
NY Renews calls for public audit of state agencies to ensure funds invested in disadvantaged communities
Call comes at one year anniversary of CLCPA bill signing
NY Renews, the 200+ member coalition of environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law, is calling for a public audit of New York State agency spending. The audit is to ensure compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s mandate that 40% of state energy and climate spending are invested in communities most impacted by pollution and climate change, largely Black, Latinx, and people of color communities.
In a letter sent to the Governor, Comptroller, Climate Action Council, as well as the heads of the Department of Environmental Conservation and NYSERDA, the coalition expressed concern that the 40% investment mandate is not being met by state agencies, and called on all agencies to complete a public audit and plan for compliance by the end of the year. NY Renews also included additional guidance for ensuring the 40% standard is met, and that the funds truly benefit disadvantaged communities.
The full text of the letter can be found at https://www.nyrenews.org/dcim-audit. The additional guidance can be found at https://bit.ly/3948PCf.
“Black, Brown, and low income communities contribute the least to climate change and pollution, and yet are saddled with its worst impacts. From toxic air to extreme weather events, heat waves, and now Covid-19, frontline communities have been systematically left behind by the state. The 40% investment mandate is one critical step to right this wrong, and the law requires compliance from all New York State agencies and programs,” said Raya Salter, NY Renews Policy Organizer.
About NY Renews:
NY Renews is a coalition of over 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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