In a frustrating session shortened by a prolonged budget process, too many critical environmental priorities failed to reach the finish line, leaving important work unfinished. Still, lawmakers made progress on several important measures that will expand access to clean energy, protect public health, and strengthen climate resilience.

By Liam McGowan As the clock ticks down toward the June 30th deadline for the NYC City Council and the

As the 2026 legislative session came to a close, the State Legislature passed two NYLCV Environmental Scorecard bills that will help strengthen climate resilience and protect public health: Expanding New York's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, and lowering New York's allowable level of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- a.k.a. "forever chemicals" -- in drinking water to match the more protective federal standard.

At a time when New York should be doing everything it can to reduce our dependence on expensive and dirty fossil fuels, the FY27 State Budget takes us a step backwards. By weakening the Climate Law and further delaying cap-and-invest, this budget  postpones our affordable clean energy future for an extended ride on the fossil fuel roller coaster that’s choking our air and our wallets. 

These candidates understand that strong environmental leadership and strong communities go hand in hand,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “From protecting clean air and water to advancing clean energy, these leaders are prepared to meet the challenges facing New York and help build a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

When the FY27 State Budget – already substantially delayed - finally wraps up, lawmakers will have just over two weeks remaining in the legislative session. Although that leaves little time to advance major policy priorities, several of New York’s most important environmental and public health measures are on the table and ready for action. Earlier this year, NYLCV and Environmental Advocates NY (EANY) announced the following slate of “Superbills” – priority legislation and a major clean energy investment that will receive additional weight in each organization’s annual environmental scorecards and that the groups, alongside a broad coalition of advocates, are aggressively pushing to pass this year.

On Earth Day, the New York City Housing Authority released their 2026 Sustainability Agenda. It comes 10 years after its last agenda, and NYC has made many incredible strides in climate policy since then. Building on the work they have already done, NYLCV is excited about what this agenda proposes and supports the goals set forth. NYCHA sustainability centers on six key priorities: 1) promoting resident health and well-being; 2) addressing NYCHA’s priority physical needs; 3) increasing funding for property upgrades and operations; 4) reducing energy and water usage and greenhouse gas emissions; 5) increasing resiliency to flooding; and 6) increasing resiliency to extreme heat.  Through this, the 2026 Sustainability Agenda commits itself to turn these principles into action with 9 goals that will be accomplished in the next five years, specifying a quantitative target for each goal, and laying out the specific strategies that will be undertaken to reach these targets by 2031. NYLCV dives into these goals below, explaining how NYCHA plans to execute them and what they mean for the environment.