Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration released its long-awaited state energy plan last month, mapping out where New York stands on making its economy greener — admitting projections underlined in the 2019 climate law likely won’t be reality anytime soon.

NY1 spoke to critics on both sides of the aisle who argue Hochul might be interested in delaying controversial and likely expensive regulations until after her 2026 reelection bid.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul said New York likely won’t meet several key benchmarks mandated in the Climate Leadership and Protection Act enacted in 2019

  • NY1 spoke to critics on both sides of the aisle who argue Hochul might be interested in delaying controversial and likely expensive regulations until after her 2026 reelection bid

  • Climate justice groups are suing Hochul. Earthjustice’s attorneys are representing the groups in the case, arguing she’s violating state law that says New York must drastically revamp where it gets energy and reduce emissions

“I was intent on becoming known as a strong environmental governor,” Hochul said on Wednesday during a press conference held at the State Capitol Building in Albany.

But now, Hochul said New York likely won’t meet several key benchmarks mandated in the Climate Leadership and Protection Act enacted in 2019.

“I’m willing to be a common-sense governor as well, where I’m not constrained by what maybe had been a policy just a few years ago,” she said, arguing early models say it’ll be too expensive. “I also cannot ignore the fact that the disruptions in our economy that have occurred since the laws went into place, but also since we even supported this, that need to be examined in terms of what is happening to people’s pocketbooks right now.”

“I also have to moderate and make sure that I’m not doing something that’s going to drive up costs for consumers, and the data shows at this time it would,” Hochul explained.

Supporters and critics have slammed Hochul for allegedly slow-rolling regulations, some nearly two years later.

“What is not being discussed, that has come out, is that we need dispatchable emissions-free resources to make up for the things [like] the times when the sun’s not shining and the wind is not blowing,” Cameron Macdonald, executive director at the Government Justice Center, said in an interview with NY1.

“Gas infrastructure is the main driver of rare increases that New Yorkers are seeing across the state, along with a main driver of climate change so we need the governor to provide certainty and provide regulations,” Liz Moran, a policy advocate at Earthjustice, said during a separate interview.

Climate justice groups are suing Hochul. Earthjustice’s attorneys are representing the groups in the case, arguing she’s violating state law that says New York must drastically revamp where it gets energy and reduce emissions.

Some accuse her of pushing the policy so she can sail smoothly into reelection.

“Anybody running for governor would probably want to push past an election date to avoid potential negative fallout,” Macdonald said.

“This is a classic polluter playbook to promote delay after delay after delay. Unfortunately, it appears the Hochul. administration is caving to that narrative when it’s simply not true, nor is it what’s best for New Yorkers,” Moran added.

The move is reminiscent of Hochul’s congestion pricing pause ahead of the 2024 midterm primary. Then, Hochul protested it wasn’t done to boost Democrats running in battleground districts.

“Know when I say a pause, it’s not permanent. Nothing is permanent,” Hochul said Wednesday when asked to compare the two policies.