Hundreds of New Yorkers Joined State Legislators for  NY Renews Mass Mobilization & Lobby Visits at the Capitol,  Launched Fund Climate Campaign in FY 2025-26

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

January 22, 2025

Contact: Devyn Fusaro, NY Renews | devyn@nyrenews.org | ‪(909) 610-9814‬

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Hundreds of New Yorkers Joined State Legislators for NY Renews Mass Mobilization & Lobby Visits at the Capitol, Launched Fund Climate Campaign in FY 2025-26

Call to Immediately Release Cap-Trade-and-Invest Program Regulations,  Two New Programs for Affordable Climate-Ready Homes & Community-Directed Funds Announced

Today at the State Capitol, NY Renews launched its Fund Climate Campaign for FY 2025-2026, calling out Gov. Hochul’s delays on climate action with a mass mobilization and lobby visits to 40 key electeds. State Legislators addressed hundreds of New Yorkers at a rally before the lobby visits. 

On the heels of Governor Hochul’s State of the State and Executive Budget, NY Renews, dismayed by her continued pattern of holding up climate action, called on the legislature to lead by including the following in their One House budgets: the Fund Climate Campaign programs and criteria; the full NY HEAT Act; and a Cap-Trade-and-Invest Program with more emissions reductions, affordability, and disadvantaged community protections. Among the rally speakers were members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, which has supported the NY Renews agenda by  including it in their 2025 Peoples' Budget.

“I am proud to stand in partnership with NY Renews to advocate for legislation that supports climate justice. Climate change severely affects underserved New Yorkers, who are the least equipped to endure the effects of heat waves, poor air quality, and environmental disasters. We must #FundClimate now– and secure investments in, and justice for, our communities in crisis,” said Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55).

The Governor’s stalling of the state’s Cap-Trade-and-Invest (CTI) Program withholds an estimated $3—$5.1 billion in revenue into the Climate Action Fund (CAF) in 2025, undermines emissions reduction measures, and delays the opportunity to increase energy affordability by hundreds of dollars for low to moderate income households. 

The CTI Program done right should “cap” the amount of greenhouse gas pollution emitted, require corporate polluters to pay “allowances” for all of their pollution (without loopholes that create pollution hotspots, as seen in other States with market-based approaches),  then direct that revenue into the CAF to invest in climate and environmental projects, programs, and policies.

“I stand with NYRenews in calling for the release of the proposed regulations for the Cap, Trade and Investment program. Climate change is accelerating and the cost to New Yorkers to pay for the infrastructure damage alone is in the billions of dollars each year. We cannot afford to continue to pay for the damage caused by the big corporate polluters who are causing the damage. It’s time to move forward together as a united government to make a program that effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions, generates revenue that can be reinvested into the state’s economy, supporting sustainable development and job creation, and prioritizes investments in disadvantaged communities to ensure that those who have disproportionately experienced the effects of climate change experience sufficient benefit to create equity in the program benefits,” said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (AD-125).

Compared to the potential of a CTI Program done right, the ambiguous $1b “towards achieving a more sustainable future”  mentioned in the Governor’s State of the State and Executive Budget does not adequately, nor specifically respond at scale to the climate crisis in our state. With a newly inaugurated Trump administration, increasingly dangerous weather events, and cost-of-living at an all time high, New Yorkers are demanding immediate, competent, clear, and effective state leadership that will improve public health and lower energy bills. 

"As people of faith, we have a sacred obligation to care for the most vulnerable. Black, Brown, Indigenous, the Elderly, our loved ones with chronic respiratory illnesses and low-income families are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis they did little to cause—this is an injustice we cannot ignore. Protecting our communities is not just an environmental issue; it’s a moral one, and bold action is needed now to fund clean and renewable energy and secure a just and sustainable future for all," said Rev. Mira Salawni-Joyner, Minister For Justice, Advocacy And Change, Riverside Church

“So much of my teenage experience has been dedicated to my preparation for the future, from college applications, to making long lasting friendships, but what future am I preparing for? One where my home is being flooded and my family and friends are facing death or injury from extreme weather exposure? I need the Fund Climate Campaign to make preparing for the future not futile,” said Alice, 16, a student from the Teen Climate Justice Program at Sixth Street Community Center.

To actualize the Climate Law, the Fund Climate Campaign includes the Affordable Climate-Ready Homes Program, a Community-Directed Grants Program, Indigenous solidarity initiatives, and  spending criteria, for programs like CTI. Together, these tenets ensure benefits to environmental justice communities, democratize how projects are designed and funded, and increase affordability across the state. 

Labor Committee Chair Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (AD-138), who was unable to attend the rally in person, shared the following statement. "I am proud to stand with NY Renews in support of a just transition to a green energy economy to ensure that no workers are left behind. The Fund Climate campaign will create middle-class union jobs in clean energy sectors and addresses the climate crisis with an emphasis on building the highly-skilled workforce we require to support this investment." 

"The transition to a clean, sustainable economy is New York’s biggest opportunity to create jobs and bolster our economy. By investing billions in the Climate Action Fund, we can create tens of thousands of jobs, advance organized labor in the energy sector, and ensure those jobs have gold star labor standards. Aggressive investments in climate action are the best way to move working class New Yorkers away from climate destruction and towards good jobs, clean air, and lower utility costs," said Theodore A. Moore, Executive Director of ALIGN.

“We face the harsh reality where people are being marketed technology like solar and heat pumps, but can’t even afford their mortgage payments; people who are desperately trying to live a better life, but aren’t given the decency of any tools to move forward.  New Yorkers are facing an energy and housing crisis that’s only getting worse. The good news is we know what needs to be done. We must fund climate solutions that help all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable. The #FundClimate campaign is calling on the Governor and the legislature to release the regulations for the CTI program now. If done right, this program could save households hundreds of dollars a year, create good-paying jobs, and improve public health. It can also ensure that polluters—not taxpayers—pay for the damage they’ve caused to our climate and communities,” said Daphany Rose Sanchez, Executive Director, Kinetic Communities.

  • The Community-Directed Grants Program provides grants to community-based organizations in disadvantaged communities to design and implement community-led pollution reduction projects. Right now, the State has no structured support at scale for communities to develop community-led plans or projects. This program would democratize how frontline solution projects are funded.

“At NY Renews, what we’ve done together is present a Climate Action Fund spending plan. We’ve given the blueprint. At PUSH Buffalo, we’ve provided examples of how we can move forward. The Sustainability Workforce Training Center is for, and by, and built by us. What would the state look like if they had a Sustainability Workforce Training Center in every impacted community?…Our last project was the Westside Homes project — 49 units of sustainable, affordable, and supportive homes.  What would the state look like if the Climate Action Fund actually supported projects like that?” Said Dawn Wells-Clyburn, Executive Director, PUSH Buffalo.

  • As New York State begins collecting dedicated climate funding, all projects and programs funded through the CAF must meet the Fund Climate spending criteria of creating good jobs with gold star labor standards, cutting emissions while improving public health, and directing at least 35% of investments to disadvantaged communities, as per the Climate Law. 

In service of and in partnership with Indigenous Nations across NY state to advocate for needs around the energy transition and other matters impacting Native communities, the Fund Climate Campaign calls for FY 2025-26 budgetary appropriations to rehabilitation and renovation projects at Native schools, as well as restoration and expansion of critical Native elder care programs and Native health clinics. Legislative and land justice initiatives include the Reinstatement of the Montaukett Indian Nation (bill reintroduction forthcoming) and the suspension of funding and permitting for the culturally destructive and environmentally dangerous Western New York STAMP mega industrial site, which is currently under construction on the border of the federally recognized Tonawanda Seneca Nation, member Nation of the Haudenosaunee.

“The STAMP mega industrial site threatens the free use and enjoyment of our lands as is guaranteed in the 1794 Canandaigua Treaty. It stands to impact the health of waterways, the movements of animals, and the health of medicinal plants,” said Grandell Logan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, member Nation of the Haudenosaunee, joined by Sub-Chief Scott Logan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, member Nation of the Haudenosaunee.

The NY Renews coalition maintains that there can be no climate justice without upholding Indigenous sovereignty. If the Governor continues her campaign of disinvestment and disenfranchisement of New York’s communities, the inequities and damage of the climate crisis compound. 

“I’m tired of seeing profit prioritized over people and the planet,” said Izzy M., a student from the Teen Climate Justice Program at Sixth Street Community Center . 

If, however, the Governor is serious about public health and affordability, she can pull powerful levers to cap emissions and save working households cash with the already two-years-in-the-making CTI Program. The FY 2025-26 NY state budget should have been the first one where the CTI Program generated annual revenue into the CAF, which NY Renews advocated for and was passed in the 2023 state budget. However, the draft regulations to implement the program are late, with no due date in sight according to the latest remarks of the Governor. Now is the time to move forward together to see they are issued this year, so that regulation hearings and public comment periods may commence as soon as possible. 

“In 2019 we laid out a vision to protect our communities…to shut down peaker plants, to prioritize environmental justice. We cannot let anyone stop this vision from happening. So we need to be bold…We need courage from governmental officials to ensure that we implement Cap and Invest, ensure that we get to the 15 gigawatts of renewable energy that we want,” said Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages (AD-22) 

“I join NY Renews in calling for a Fund Climate Spending Plan that will champion community-led climate justice solutions, increase energy affordability, and repair dangerous housing conditions,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (AD-74), “we are seeing a constant threat of climate change-driven disasters which will only continue to grow in frequency and severity as the climate crisis worsens. We must take action now to mitigate the impact of climate change and promote a sustainable future for our state.” 

“It is essential for New York to maintain its leadership in the fight against climate change. We must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, create a healthier environment for our children, and decrease energy costs for consumers by investing in renewable energy sources. Achieving these goals requires sufficient funding. I urge Governor Hochul to ensure that this year’s budget includes funding for these vital climate initiatives,” said Senator Rachel May (SD-48).

The Governor and legislature have historic tools at their disposal this year to roll out an effective climate agenda — from passing the full NY HEAT Act, to directing the first “on-budget” revenue stream through the Climate Action Fund with the CTI Program.  They must Fund Climate Now. 

Other electeds who were unable to attend the rally shared the following statements.

“January has been a tumultuous month already, as we’ve witnessed the harrowing effects of climate change across the country – raging fires in Southern California, feet of snow in the South and we’ve experienced an exceptionally dry climate over the last year here in New York. What compounds these issues is that marginalized communities are affected most severely. Poor air quality from burning fossil fuels and congested roadways worsen health outcomes for poor, Black and Brown communities. We are in trouble! We have to do something drastically different, and fast. We urgently need to prioritize environmental justice legislation and initiatives. I urge Governor Hochul to step up and fully implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, pass the full NY HEAT Act, and put the Cap-Trade-and-Invest program into effect,”  said New York State Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (AD -34). 

“Implementing Cap and Invest would give New York State the resources we need to tackle the climate crisis and support environmental justice communities that have suffered for too long. This is an important tool we can use to affect meaningful change and prioritize affordability with wise investments, and it is disappointing that we must continue to fight to implement it,” said New York State Senator Peter Harckham (SD -40). 

“The Climate Action Fund represents a transformational opportunity to invest in New York’s future while addressing the urgent challenges of climate change. With a focus on affordability, community-driven projects, and environmental justice, this funding will empower disadvantaged communities, support workforce development, and drive clean energy innovation across the state,” said Assemblymember Al Stirpe (AD-126). 

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NY Renews is a coalition of 380+ 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 2019 NY State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. 

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