New York State Legislature Passes Historic Act to Address Climate Change

Both houses of the New York State Legislature recently passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA or the Act), which Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign into law. This legislation will create a new, comprehensive regulatory program that will require a broad array of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources to curtail their emissions in New York state. Passage of the Act represents the culmination of a multi-year effort by NY Renews—a coalition of over 150 grassroots, state, and national organizations—to compel GHG reductions through legislation and to address the impacts of climate change and other pollution on disadvantaged communities. The legislation builds on New York state's significant leadership role in reducing GHG emissions by its creation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

With the CLCPA, New York will join states and cities around the country that are in the process of adopting aggressive efforts to promote carbon reductions consistent with commitments agreed to by 195 countries in the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change. These state and local efforts stand in stark contrast to the federal government's efforts to roll back Obama-era climate regulations, promote fossil fuel consumption, and withdraw from the Paris Agreement.