New York’s Climate Act
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE ACT AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
In 2019, New York State adopted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), a law regarded as one of the world’s most ambitious approaches for tackling climate change. The Climate Law mandates aggressive pollution cuts and commits New York to a transition to a 100% renewable energy economy while ensuring justice and equity for frontline communities and workers. The CLCPA created the state Climate Action Council, a 22-member organization that was tasked with creating a Climate Action Plan. The draft Climate Action Plan has been released for public comment.
As the draft plan makes clear, the damage currently caused by burning fossil fuels costs us billions a year, while the benefits of a just transition would gain us billions. The faster we move to an all-electric future, the faster we will realize the vast economic and health benefits associated with a fossil free future.
Protects Our State
The law calls for:
- New York to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 (40% cut by 2030).
- Achieve 70% electricity generation from renewable sources and have an emissions free electricity sector by 2040.
Invests in Climate Justice
The law states that:
- At least 35% of clean energy funding benefits will be allocated to “disadvantaged communities” typically, low-income communities and communities of color hit first and worst by the climate crisis.
Invests in Renewables
Under the CLCPA:
- 70% of our electricity must come from renewable sources by 2040.
- By 2025, we must increase our solar capacity by 250%.
- By 2035, we must build enough offshore wind to power 6 million homes.
THE PEOPLE IMPLEMENTING THE CLIMATE ACT
Advisory Panels
Panels are comprised of sector-specific experts who advise the Climate Action Council. and are comprised of sector-specific experts I.e., transportation, waste, local government, agriculture and forestry, and others. Advisory Panels were created for various sectors, including but not limited to transportation, waste, local government, agriculture, and forestry.
Advisory Panels
Panels are comprised of sector-specific experts who advise the Climate Action Council. and are comprised of sector-specific experts I.e., transportation, waste, local government, agriculture and forestry, and others. Advisory Panels were created for various sectors, including but not limited to transportation, waste, local government, agriculture, and forestry.
Climate Action Council
22 stakeholders, including representatives from relevant state agencies and people appointed by the legislature and the governor, who will prepare the Climate Action Plan to make NY fossil fuel-free by 2050. The draft plan is currently available for public comment.
Climate Justice Working Group
This group is comprised of Environmental Justice leaders and helps ensure all New Yorkers are represented in the State’s transition to a cleaner energy future and benefit from the investments and opportunities provided by this transition. The group was charged with defining “disadvantaged communities,” a critical piece of work needed to help facilitate the flow of at 35% of clean energy investments to communities.
Climate Action Council
22 stakeholders, including representatives from relevant state agencies and people appointed by the legislature and the governor, who will prepare the Climate Action Plan to make NY fossil fuel-free by 2050. The draft plan is currently available for public comment.
Climate Justice Working Group
This group is comprised of Environmental Justice leaders and helps ensure all New Yorkers are represented in the State’s transition to a cleaner energy future and benefit from the investments and opportunities provided by this transition. The group was charged with defining “disadvantaged communities,” a critical piece of work needed to help facilitate the flow of at 35% of clean energy investments to communities.
Just Transition Working Group
A multi-sector group appointed by the Climate Action Council to advise on how to transform New York’s economy, create new jobs, and stimulate industry and innovation, while building more resilient communities to better protect all New Yorkers. The work of this group includes ensuring green jobs are good jobs and jobs are available to underrepresented groups, while minimizing workforce disruption.
Just Transition Working Group
A multi-sector group appointed by the Climate Action Council to advise on how to transform New York’s economy, create new jobs, and stimulate industry and innovation, while building more resilient communities to better protect all New Yorkers. The work of this group includes ensuring green jobs are good jobs and jobs are available to underrepresented groups, while minimizing workforce disruption.
How will this impact my community?
Transportation
Homes & Buildings
Public Health & Air Quality
Rates of asthma and other respiratory illness will fall, particularly in neighborhoods near power plants and highways. The climate law creates new air quality monitoring requirements to make sure we have clean air for all New Yorkers.
Jobs & Industry
New jobs will become available to install solar panels, maintain wind turbines, and retrofit buildings. Studies predict that implementing the CLCPA will create up to 150,000 good jobs for New Yorkers over the next 10 years.
How Can I Get Involved?
Become an EANY Advocate.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE NYS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER TO TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS!
Useful links
- NYS Climate Act Website
- NYS Draft Scoping Plan
- Testimony Toolkit
- National Grid Fact Sheet
- State Meetings and Events
- State Advisory Panel Meetings and Materials
- Methane (Biogas) Potential from Agriculture in New York State
- Comments: Economy-Wide Measures Chapter
- Comments: Gas Transition Chapter
- Comments: Electric Sector Chapter
- Comments: Ag & Forestry Chapter
- Ag & Forestry Chapter Attachments A-E
- Ag & Forestry Chapter Attachments F-J
Blog
Back at it. Syracuse and Buffalo.
After taking a break during the week of April 18th, the council was back on the road, and we held our in-person hearings in Syracuse and Buffalo on Tuesday and Wednesday. Back-to-back hearings on the road allowed me to test out how to road trip with the support of...
Albany hearing
On Thursday April 14th the Climate Council had its fourth hearing in the staid and drab hearing room in the belly of the underground complex known as the Empire State Plaza in Albany. By far, the most uninspiring venue for hearing what the public thinks of the draft...
Binghamton Hearing
This past Tuesday, the Climate Council rolled into Binghamton University for our third in-person hearing on the draft plan. The trip down from Albany is a scenic drive through the rolling farm country that makes up so much of New York. Along the way, I crossed many...
Calendar
To see our calendar of events, click here.
Donate
Make an impact by helping us protect New York’s environment! Become one of the thousands of New Yorkers working toward a future powered by clean energy with clean water and healthy communities. Your tax-deductible gift makes a difference!
The damage currently caused by burning fossil fuels costs us billions a year, while the benefits of a just transition would gain us billions. The faster we move to an all-electric future, the faster we will realize the vast economic and health benefits associated with a fossil free future. Help us get there.
