Climate Change News: State Wide

The legislature recently passed a bill that creates a second tier of supports for legacy renewable energy such as hydropower. It will help meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by supporting existing renewable energy sources.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized its repeal of the Clean Power Plan. It will be replaced by the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, a less stringent regulation.

Up to $11,000,000 in funds is available to localities through the state's Climate Smart Communities Grant Program by July 26th to deal with existing environmental challenges like reducing food waste.

The 2019 legislative session came to a close with historic gains for the environment. The State Senate and Assembly passed the most aggressive climate legislation in the country as well as other legislative measures, putting New York at the forefront of the fight for environmental protection.

Momentum is building to pass climate change legislation as the end of this legislative session approaches this week.

Together with The Nature Conservancy in New York, NRDC New York, and Audubon NY, NYLCV president Julie Tighe testified before the New York State Assembly about the need for urgent action this session on climate. She stated that we must reduce our net greenhouse emissions as close to zero as we can and that climate legislation should include carbon-neutrality and a clean electric grid.