Environmental groups, Dems urge Hochul not to change climate protection plan – Daily Freeman

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Mid-Hudson Valley environmental groups, along with Democrats, are clapping back on what they say is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to gut provisions in the state’s climate protection act passed by the Legislature seven years ago.

Meanwhile, Republicans say Hochul’s move is a recognition of the law’s flaws.

Scenic Hudson, a Poughkeepsie-based environmental group, said in a statement Tuesday, March 24, that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) should not be weakened.

“As the New York Legislature and Executive Chamber enter final Fiscal Year 2027 budget negotiations, we encourage them to stay the course and lead on climate and affordability by continuing to advance the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA),” the group said. “Since 2019, this nation-leading law has guided our state towards a greener and more resilient future. Scenic Hudson looks forward to working with the Legislature and Executive Chamber to find policy solutions to transition New York from fossil fuels to renewable energy — creating thousands of new jobs in the energy sector while decreasing energy costs for all New Yorkers and improving public health.”

Pete Lopez, Scenic Hudson’s executive director of Policy, Advocacy & Science, said, examples of climate change danger abound.

“In the Hudson Valley, we are seeing firsthand the urgency of addressing energy affordability and the climate crisis,” Lopez said. “Continuing to implement our trailblazing climate law is New York’s best solution. The law can and should be implemented in a way that protects vulnerable communities from spiking energy costs.”

Mountainkeeper, another group, also said state government should stick with the plan in place.

“Spring is arriving in the Catskills, bringing with it some of the most important environmental moments we’ve seen in years, with critical decisions being made in Albany that will shape the future of our climate, our parks, and our communities for generations to come,” Mountainkeeper said in a statement. “We urge everyone to find a way to tell Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to stand firm and advance the goals of New York’s nation-leading Climate Law.”

Among the climate law mandates are a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels and 70% renewable energy generation by 2030.

In a statement, Hochul said times have changed since the law was adopted.

“… So much has radically changed since the Climate Act was enacted, necessitating common-sense adjustments that keep us on our path to a greener future in a way that is affordable for New Yorkers,” said Houchil, who added that much of the climate change plan has been met.

“I have repeatedly said that utility rates in our state are too high and while the Climate Act is not the driver of the high energy prices we are experiencing, the undeniable fact is we cannot meet the Climate Act’s 2030 targets without imposing new and additional crushing costs on New York businesses and residents,” Hochul said.

Hochul said change in the law is necessary.

“We need more time, and so I am proposing we amend the law to require regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to be issued at the end of 2030,” Hochul said. “We are seeking to change what emission limits the regulations are tied to — including a new 2040 target as well as the existing 2050 statewide emission limits.”

Earlier this month, a wave of Republican criticism erupted over the state’s climate challenge plan in the wake of an agency memo that said implementing the state’s aggressive climate laws could cost the average Upstate household more than $4,100 annually. The memo was compiled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said Tuesday that changes in the law are going backwards.

“Backtracking on New York’s Climate Act will harm, not help, energy affordability,” Metzger said. “The high cost of our fossil fuel dependence couldn’t be clearer as the U.S. war in Iran drives up oil and gas prices, hurting our residents at the pump, and hurting our farmers who must pay much more for fuel and inputs.”

“Because we rely on fossil fuels for 93% of our region’s electricity generation, electricity supply prices — and our residents’ utility bills — remain stubbornly high,” Metzger added. “Investments Ulster County has made in renewable energy, electrification, and energy efficiency are paying major dividends to taxpayers, reducing the operational costs of government. These are real savings we are seeing today. The state cannot afford to delay the shift to a clean energy economy from either a climate or affordability perspective.”

Metzger is to be joined by, among others, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, and state Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, at a press conference Friday, March 27, to address the matter.

Hinchey and Shrestha did not respond Tuesday to an email inquiry for comment.

On Wednesday, March 25, New York Communities for Change was to hold an Albany rally in support of the originally adopted climate change plan. In a statement Tuesday, the group called Hochul’s proposal “an unprecedented move to undo state law that was designed to move New York off expensive fracked gas and towards more-affordable solar, wind, batteries and energy efficiency.”

Republicans such as state Sen. Peter Oberacker, who is running for the 19th Congressional District, said the governor is trying to pull a fast one.

Oberacker currently represents the 51st Senate District.

“Yet another head fake from Kathy Hochul that will provide zero relief to New Yorkers being crushed by the weight of her radical policies,” Oberacker, R-Schenevus, said in a statement. The only solution is to pass my Ratepayer Bill of Rights before more people leave New York.”

Assemblymember Brian Maher, R-Walden, who represents the 101st Assembly District, said he has called for changes in the climate law many times in the past.

“We are glad to see the governor finally acknowledge that current CLCPA policies are driving up utility costs and placing additional strain on our energy grid during times of high demand and severe weather,” Maher’s office said in an email. “While we all have a responsibility to be good stewards of our environment and continue pursuing renewable energy solutions, the current approach goes too far. New York families simply cannot afford the continued increases in utility bills and energy costs.”