Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s administration released its long-awaited state energy plan last month, mapping out where New York stands on making its economy greener \u2014 admitting projections underlined in the 2019 climate law likely won\u2019t be reality anytime soon.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was intent on becoming known as a strong environmental governor,\u201d Hochul said on Wednesday during a press conference held at the State Capitol Building in Albany.<\/p>\n But now, Hochul said New York likely won\u2019t meet several key benchmarks mandated in the Climate Leadership and Protection Act enacted in 2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m willing to be a common-sense governor as well, where I\u2019m not constrained by what maybe had been a policy just a few years ago,\u201d she said, arguing early models say it\u2019ll be too expensive. \u201cI 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\u2019s pocketbooks right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI also have to moderate and make sure that I\u2019m not doing something that\u2019s going to drive up costs for consumers, and the data shows at this time it would,\u201d Hochul explained.<\/p>\n Supporters and critics have slammed Hochul for allegedly slow-rolling regulations, some nearly two years later.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat 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\u2019s not shining and the wind is not blowing,\u201d Cameron Macdonald, executive director at the Government Justice Center, said in an interview with NY1.<\/p>\n \u201cGas 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,\u201d Liz Moran, a policy advocate at Earthjustice, said during a separate interview.<\/p>\n Climate justice groups are suing Hochul. Earthjustice\u2019s attorneys are representing the groups in the case, arguing she\u2019s violating state law that says New York must drastically revamp where it gets energy and reduce emissions.<\/p>\n Some accuse her of pushing the policy so she can sail smoothly into reelection.<\/p>\n \u201cAnybody running for governor would probably want to push past an election date to avoid potential negative fallout,\u201d Macdonald said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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\u2019s simply not true, nor is it what\u2019s best for New Yorkers,\u201d Moran added.<\/p>\n The move is reminiscent of Hochul\u2019s congestion pricing pause ahead of the 2024 midterm primary. Then, Hochul protested it wasn\u2019t done to boost Democrats running in battleground districts.<\/p>\n \u201cKnow when I say a pause, it\u2019s not permanent. Nothing is permanent,\u201d Hochul said Wednesday when asked to compare the two policies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Gov. 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