Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address Promises to Keep New York on Track With Its Climate Obligations

ALBANY, NY -- Governor Hochul released new policy goals at her State of the State address on Tuesday that would further implement the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). This nation-leading climate law commits New York State to a zero emissions grid by 2040 and near carbon neutrality by 2050. In December, the Climate Action Council released the final scoping plan for enacting regulations that retains many of the strong recommendations that emerged from the Advisory Panels and the public comment process. This plan acts as an important roadmap for rapidly reducing emissions and achieving significant public health, economic development, and environmental improvements to our state. Among those recommendations was an economy-wide, cap and invest program to generate revenue from pollution emitters to help pay for the transition to a zero emissions society. 

In her speech, Hochul proclaimed the importance of a program that will facilitate greenhouse gas reduction, reinvest in disadvantaged communities, and create family sustaining jobs. Hochul also outlined additional ways she intended to collaborate with the legislature to fulfill our climate obligations: mandates for new zero emission buildings and improving building efficiency, while protecting affordability, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and transit-oriented development, recycling programs to reduce packaging waste and new initiatives to safeguard New Yorkers from growing contamination from PFAS and other “forever chemicals.”

In response, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Conservation Director Roger Downs released the following statement:

“With an intensifying climate crisis permeating almost every aspect of our lives there is an urgency to synchronize legislative action with the recommendations of the Climate Action Council Scoping Plan. The final rules and regulations to implement New York’s climate law will not be complete until 2024, but the Sierra Club applauds Governor Hochul’s leadership in recognizing there are critical interim actions the legislature and governor must take if we are to avoid the worst aspects of the climate catastrophe and start making progress towards a healthier, less fossil-fuel dependent New York.”