Climate and Clean Energy Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Release Outline of Ambitious and Equitable Cap-and-Invest Proposal Before Year-End
ALBANY, NY (December 7, 2023) — As New York leaders develop rules for a cap-and-invest program to slash climate pollution, the undersigned organizations – climate and clean energy organizations that have been closely monitoring and engaging in the process over the past year – issued the following statement:
“We commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to advancing a cap-and-invest program and are eager to review the details as the urgency of addressing the climate crisis accelerates. We encourage the Governor to release the outline of a strong proposal before the end of the calendar year. A bold cap-and-invest program has the potential to elevate New York’s role as a climate leader – serving as a critical tool in cutting pollution in line with New York’s climate targets and driving significant investments in an equitable clean energy transition in communities across the state.
“Aligned with Governor Hochul’s stated cap-and-invest principles, the program details should demonstrate New York’s commitment to climate leadership and an equitable and affordable clean energy transition. Specifically, the program must establish a high-integrity cap and ensure climate pollution falls in line with the state climate law’s targets – achieving economy-wide cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% (while reaching net-zero) by 2050, along with transitioning to 70% renewably sourced electricity by 2030 and 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040. Further, the program must prioritize health and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities, including through the significant investment of revenues. And 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 advances this program. Finally, the program must ensure energy affordability for New Yorkers, particularly those households facing the highest energy cost burdens.
“A cap-and-invest program achieving these goals would demonstrate Governor Hochul’s commitment to meaningful climate action at the pace and scale necessary, affirm New York’s role as a national climate leader, help guarantee protections for disadvantaged communities across the state, and help to deliver a safer and healthier future for New Yorkers. We urge Governor Hochul to release the outline of such a proposal before the end of the calendar year.”
Signed,
Alliance for Clean Energy New York
Association for Energy Affordability
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow
New York Geothermal Energy Organization
New York League of Conservation Voters
New Yorkers for Clean Power
Regional Plan Association
Vote Solar
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.