NY Renews Coalition Launches Eight Statewide Rallies Calling for Passage of Climate Justice Legislation in 2023
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: May 25, 2023
Contact: Marie Scarles | (646) 389-8429 | marie@nyrenews.org
Web: nyrenews.org | @nyrenews
New York State — On May 25, 2023, NY Renews member organizations launched a series of more than eight rallies across New York State calling for the passage of the entire Climate, Jobs & Justice Package, including the Climate and Community Protection Fund, NY HEAT Act, and legislation that would protect Black, brown, and working people from pollution hotspots in the state’s future Cap-and-Invest Program. The coalition also called for key guardrails for the state’s proposed Cap-and-Invest Program. Events kicked off in Buffalo, Albany, Ithaca, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City, Rochester, and Westchester.
These actions are part of a series of statewide events for climate justice that took place on Thursday, May 25th. Environmental and climate justice groups and activists are calling for the passage of the Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package (CJJP)—a suite of legislation that would fully fund and implement NY’s Climate Act; build renewable energy and create good, green, union jobs; and make polluters and the ultra-rich pay what they owe to fund our state’s energy transition.
“With the Climate, Jobs and Justice Package, we have real opportunities to lead New York through a transition to renewable sources of energy, while also protecting utility ratepayers and vulnerable communities and creating jobs,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles. “Given the dire state of climate change, we cannot afford inaction or delays. We need to use this momentum to move critical legislation like the NY HEAT Act through.”
"Long Island's resiliency lies not only in its picturesque landscapes and coastal beauty but also in the determination of its people. To safeguard our island's future, we must embrace the Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package, a transformative initiative that brings together environmental preservation, economic prosperity, and social equity,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. “Let us stand united, recognizing that by passing this package, we fortify Long Island's resilience, empower our communities, and pave the way for a sustainable and just future for all."
"New York is leading the nation's clean energy transition with ambitious policies that prioritize affordability, building decarbonization, and environmental justice in communities across the state," said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (109th AD). "Our clean energy transition is incomplete without the NY HEAT Act, which ends ratepayer subsidization of fossil fuel infrastructure by removing the 100-foot-requirement and codifies our climate mandates into New York's public service law to support our long-term clean energy transition. Additionally, we have an opportunity to end years of environmental injustice here in Albany's neighborhoods by converting the Empire State Plaza and State Capitol to 100% renewable energy and lead by example by passing the Renewable Capitol Act. Let's pass these pieces of legislation and cement New York's legacy as a leader in climate action and building decarbonization."
"We are thrilled to support the removal of limitations that have hindered the New York Power Authority (NYPA) from expanding its renewable capabilities. With this new development, NYPA can now develop and own large-scale renewable power facilities, enabling a significant increase in clean energy generation. Furthermore, NYPA is committed to phasing out all oil and gas-powered facilities by 2030, aligning with our goal of a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. This empowering legislation not only drives the transition to renewable energy but also ensures equitable access and benefits for disadvantaged communities, in line with the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Together, we are taking a bold step forward in promoting renewable energy adoption and combating climate change,” said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez.
“While the United Nations and leading climate scientists issue severe climate warnings on a regular basis, we have yet to move sufficiently to fully fund and implement the landmark New York State Climate Act. Incremental programs that do not take effect until three, four or five years from now are too little and too late. It is imperative that the New York legislature raise money now to fully enact its climate law and establish a designated Climate and Community Protection Fund that directs how the money can be spent,” said Michael Richardson, co-founder of Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith.
Advocates are pushing for the passage of key Climate, Jobs, and Justice bills still in play in the state legislature at the end of session, including:
the Climate and Community Protection Fund (S.5360/A.6263) which would create a pool of funding to implement our landmark Climate Act and direct benefits back to communities and workers;
the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (S.2016/A.4592), which would give the Public Service Commission the authority and direction to align gas utilities with the Climate Act’s emission reduction and climate justice mandates;
the Just Energy Transition Act (S.2935/A.9881 of 2022), which would provide a plan to guide the replacement and redevelopment of New York State’s fossil fuel facilities and sites by 2030; the Climate Change Superfund Act (S.2129/A.3351) which would make the state’s worst polluters, major oil companies, pay for the harm they’ve caused; and the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act (S.3389/A.8483 of 2022), which would end the most egregious state subsidies of $330 million to climate crisis contributors—the fossil fuel industry.
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NY Renews is a coalition of more than 360 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.