NY Renews Plays Offense for Climate Justice as Gov Hochul and State Agencies Attack NYS Climate Act

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: April 4, 2023

Contact: Marie Scarles, marie@nyrenews.org, (646) 389-8429

Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org

Hochul and State Agencies Attempt to Kill New York’s Climate Act; Back Away from Climate, Jobs, and Justice Plan


When Governor Hochul began pushing fossil-fuel-backed bill S6030/A6039 (Parker/Barrett) late in state budget negotiations, the NY Renews coalition, representing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers statewide, went on the offense. 


New York State – The Governor’s proposed shift to New York’s climate law is driven by fossil fuel interests trying to protect their profits in the face of a changing climate. And as usual, the industry and their allies are trying to frame it as a choice between climate solutions and consumer costs. This is a false choice and a false narrative.

New Yorkers overwhelmingly support the Climate Act, which was developed by the NYS Climate Action Council over the past three years with input from experts and community members statewide. It’s the fossil fuel industry trying to dismantle it, and Governor Hochul—to appease her fossil fuel funders—is letting it happen. Meanwhile,  the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is supporting her plan, even though both agency heads previously endorsed the  20-year accounting method as members of the Climate Action Council. 


We cannot cede ground to the fossil fuel industry or let unbacked claims about costs to consumers—fear-mongering by the fossil fuel industry—derail our climate progress. We need serious state investments to combat the climate crisis and protect New Yorkers from the worst effects of climate catastrophe, fossil fuel pollution, and skyrocketing energy costs. That’s why we’re running ads to block Governor Hochul’s fossil-fueled bill and campaigning hard for the Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package.

The Climate, Jobs & Justice Package would ensure we keep costs low for New Yorkers as we transition to a renewable energy economy by taxing the rich and making corporate polluters pay for a just transition; lowering energy bills via the Climate and Community Protection Fund’s rebate program; save New York nearly $40 billion a year by cutting fossil fuel subsidies, and additional $500 million on public health, utility bills, vehicle maintenance, and more; while also expanding our public and renewable energy infrastructure and creating career union jobs. Governor Hochul is setting up a false dichotomy between cost and climate action. The Climate, Jobs & Justice Package directly addresses this and ensures an equitable climate roadmap for communities across the state.

The following memos unpack some of NY Renews’ calculations on just how much the CJJP would save NYS in terms of dollars, cents, and lives:

NY RENEWS POLICY MEMOS

  • Government Savings Brief:  The Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package (CJJP) Would Save New York State Almost $500 Million a Year 

  • Equitable Energy Rebates for New York State: Transitioning New York’s economy off of fossil fuels will be cheaper and healthier for our state. Here’s how to make sure corporations don’t offload the costs onto poor and working-class New Yorkers. 

Our coalition is calling on the state legislature to uphold the Climate Act as written into law, reject amendments that would threaten its power to protect and prepare New Yorkers facing the worst effects of the climate crisis, and pass the Climate, Jobs & Justice Package to make real climate progress this year.

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NY Renews is a coalition of more than 350 environmental justice, community, faith, labor, and multi-issue organizations fighting for just climate policy for New Yorkers. We are the force behind the nation's most aggressive climate law, the NY State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, enacted in 2019. The Climate, Jobs & Justice Package is the next step in our fight for climate justice in New York.

NY Renews