The following statement from the New York League of Conservation Voters, Evergreen Action, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, and Environmental Advocates NY was released in response to changes to New York’s climate law in the FY27 State Budget:
“New York’s Climate Act was established to move the state off the fossil fuels that are driving today’s affordability crisis, lower and stabilize energy costs, and reduce climate and air pollution to improve public health. Just as New Yorkers most need solutions and leadership on these issues, the Governor and Legislature have passed amendments that move us in the opposite direction and erode New York’s status as a national leader on climate.
“These changes will prolong our reliance on costly and unpredictable fossil fuels, at the exact moment families can least afford it. Weakening the Climate Act does not lower energy bills; rather, it makes it harder to address our aging grid, drafty housing stock, and continued exposure to the rollercoaster ride of fossil fuel prices. It also leaves New Yorkers more exposed to the storms, heatwaves, flooding, and polluted air that burden families with higher costs and worsening health every year.
“The status quo is not an affordability plan. We need to move toward clean, reliable, homegrown energy – the kind that lowers costs over time and protects public health. Finalizing a strong, affordable cap-and-invest program as soon as possible is the most direct way to get the state back on track and invest in an affordable energy future. The $1 billion Sustainable Future Fund commitment is an important down payment on delivering more affordable and comfortable homes, cheaper, cleaner transportation options, and cleaner electricity. Cap-and-invest would scale and sustain this program, delivering at least $3 billion annually in clean energy investments and utility bill rebates year-over-year.
“As other states lean into clean energy policies and investments to cut pollution and costs, New Yorkers deserve the same. New York can keep delaying action and paying the price through higher bills, worsening health, and more destructive storms, or it can choose a cleaner, healthier, more affordable future.”