Hochul’s State of the State Takes on Climate Change

ALBANY, NY – In her 2023 State of the State Address, Governor Hochul announced an ambitious climate-focused agenda that includes establishing a cap-and-invest program with protections for disadvantaged communities; building 800,000 fully sustainable, new housing units with smaller buildings being all-electric by 2025 and larger buildings being all-electric by 2028; ending sales of fossil fueled heating equipment in 2030 for smaller and 2035 for larger buildings; and an “energy affordability guarantee” for low income households so they never pay more than six percent of their income on energy.

The following is reaction from Richard Schrader, the New York Legislative and Policy Director for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Governor Hochul’s speech today included exciting announcements that will combat climate change and advance the use of clean energy in the state. Hochul announced a cap-and-invest program, which – if done correctly – can help address the climate crisis by cutting pollution and providing significant funds for investments in things like cleaner vehicles, energy efficiency, and electrification. Importantly, Hochul’s announcement included several directives to ensure that the cap-and-investment system is equitable, affordable, and holds polluters accountable for steadily reducing emissions. To ensure that disadvantaged communities are fully protected under the cap-and-invest program, New York State should continue to include input from these communities as it implements this program.

“Burning oil, gas, and other fossil fuels comes with grave consequences for our health and our future, which is why it’s so important that Hochul has committed to zero-emission homes, ending the sale of fossil fuel heating equipment, and is looking out for ratepayers’ pocketbooks. It’s clear that Hochul is tackling climate change head-on and standing up to protect our communities from the extreme heat, flooding, and the other dangerous consequences it brings. There is still work to be done—NRDC will continue to work with the state to implement this program and to ensure that the necessary equity provisions set forth by Hochul help the disadvantaged communities they seek to protect.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.