New York State stepped up as a national leader when we passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019—driving investment in clean, renewable energy, creating jobs, reducing our dependence on polluting, expensive fossil fuels, and protecting the safety of our most vulnerable communities. Regrettably, Governor Hochul is now signaling that she may roll back the state’s landmark law, which would put our families at risk to the rising cost of fossil fuels and increased air pollution in our communities.
While the Trump administration gives the fossil fuel industry a free pass to emit toxins into our air, denies the scientific reality of climate change, and recklessly stops job-creating renewable energy projects in their tracks—we need New York State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, to do better. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her NOT to weaken the CLCPA!
Background
The immense costs of our reliance on fossil fuels have never been clearer. Coal plants across the nation are increasing emissions of dangerous pollutants, including mercury, into our air. Greenhouse gas emissions are fueling extreme storms that threaten the safety of our coastal communities, from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean. The events unfolding in the Middle East are causing the price of oil and gas to begin to spike—a clear demonstration of the extreme price volatility of fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, the benefits of renewable energy have never been clearer. Power generation from wind and solar power create zero emissions—contributing to cleaner, healthier air in our communities. Wind and solar, coupled with battery storage, are the cheapest sources of new energy on the planet. The state of Texas, often known for oil, has invested heavily in renewables—a recent study found that wind and solar projects have saved Texas consumers over $30 billion since 2010. Importantly, renewable energy technologies are not influenced by geopolitical conflicts, in fact, they add stability to our energy costs.
The New York Independent Systems Operator (NYISO) recently released a report making clear that the rising cost of natural gas, coupled with increased energy demand from data centers and aging infrastructure, are responsible for the increased cost of electricity in New York State—not renewable energy! Blaming the CLCPA for increased energy costs in New York State is simply false.
We need your help to ensure that New York does not move backward. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to support implementation of the CLCPA.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
