Climate Change News

Late last month, Congress passed a $1.4 trillion spending package that unfortunately did not include common-sense legislation that would have moved the U.S. forward on climate action. While tax credits for land-based wind development were approved for another year, extensions for off-shore wind, solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage incentives were excluded.

Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-4) recently introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 (HR5221) to set a national goal of achieving net-zero pollution economy-wide by 2050. New York Congressmember Paul Tonko (NY-20) is one of the lead sponsors of this effort. The legislation builds on New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act by making carbon-neutrality by 2050 a national goal and would enhance pollution-reduction efforts by other governments.

A planned hydroelectric cable connecting hydro energy sources to residents in the downstate region would reduce New York’s dependence on fossil fuels and provide 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy.

States like New York are investing in resilient infrastructure, which is the adaptive design of structures with consideration to future impacts of climate change. These preventative measures can help bolster coastlines, strengthen infrastructure, and reinforce flood zones.

We recently joined 13 other state conservation voter groups for a Fall Lobby Day on Capitol Hill organized by the national LCV. On the agenda was permanent and full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and a suite of clean energy proposals ranging from tax credits for renewables to funding for electric school buses.

Last week, the New York City Council passed the East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan to provide strong, environmentally-sound protection for Manhattan’s East Side.