Albany, NY - March 15, 2017 - The NY Renews coalition issued the following statement in response to the New York State Assembly’s strong stand for climate action in their one-house budget:
“This is what climate action looks like.”
We applaud the New York State Assembly for taking some bold steps in the fight for climate action and social justice as state leaders move to craft the final 2017-2018 Budget. Their one-house bill includes the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA), legislation that sets into law the state’s climate and clean energy goals, achieves equity for those on the front lines of climate change’s impacts, and establishes strong labor standards as the state transitions entirely away from an economy powered by dirty sources to a 100% clean, renewable energy future. It also rejects the raid on RGGI funds the Governor sought for General Fund relief, and instead directs the $23 million to go towards solar energy for low- to moderate-income residents and environmental justice communities.
As the threatening policies of climate denialism take shape in D.C., Speaker Heastie and his colleagues in the Assembly have put forth their vision to respond to the threats. The ball is now in the Governor’s and the Senate Majority Coalition’s court. Will they sit idly by and let the Trump climate policy rollbacks put New Yorkers’ lives and our communities at risk? Or will they, with the Assembly, forge an agreement in the budget to make New York a true leader?
NY Renews is ready to continue working with advocates across the state to press our leaders to come to an agreement on the strongest possible law in this budget that ensures climate justice, social equity, and good jobs for workers. While the CCPA represents the right direction for New York, every bill can be strengthened and built upon to make the climate movement in New York stronger.
New Yorkers will not let the Trump administration jeopardize our climate and our future. It’s time for New York’s leaders to step up and be champions for action in this moment of crisis.”