June 19, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
The State Assembly passed a radical climate change bill Wednesday that would see the elimination of most of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The legislation, passed by the senate on Tuesday, is expected to soon be signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who called the plan “the most aggressive climate change program in the United States of America.”
“Today marks a historic day for New York State in the fight against climate change,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said yesterday. “As our leaders in Washington fail to take action, New York needs to lead in this time of great crises for our planet.”
The bill, titled the Climate Leadership And Community Protection Act, calls for 70 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2030, and to shift entirely to emission-free power by 2040.
When the bill is signed, New York will join the ranks of California, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington and Nevada who have also passed legislation codifying their goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 or sooner.
“Dealing with the perils of climate change is the issue of our time and by passing the CCPA, New York is playing a leading role in securing our future,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, who represents Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, and Woodhaven.
The New York legislation would also see the creation of a 22-member Climate Action Council as well as a climate justice working group that will include representatives from environmental justice groups and several state agencies. The council, which will be comprised of top state officials, will be responsible for providing recommendations for how to meet the legislation’s goals.
The bill additionally calls for flooding hundreds of millions of dollars into communities that have been most affected by pollution and other industrial byproducts, as well as communities most at risk of the negative effects of climate change.
“I am proud to be a co-sponsor on such a vital piece of legislation that will drastically reduce New York State’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., who represents a large stretch of western Queens from Maspeth to the Rockaways. “Protecting our environment is one of the most important things we must do, and the Rockaways in my district are already leading the way in renewable energy with plans for an offshore windfarm. I look forward to seeing this bold action and these attainable goals come to fruition, and thank everyone who supported it from the beginning.”
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12 Comments
As a shareholder in a Coop, the current NYC scheduled “greening of NYC” is going to substantially increase (something of the order of 70%) my monthly maintenance charges. I’m on a fix income and this will remove me from participating in the housing market in any way. Who is going to pay for all of this? While I positively believe climate change and reduction fossils fuels is a necessary part of improving the planet, I still must ask: where is the money going to come from?
If you can’t afford it you should consider living within your means
He is on a fixed income and was living within his means…now this short sighted and financially unsustainable legislation will make it unlivable for him and many New Yorkers
If your rent goes up, you should move to a place you can afford.
Not sure how this legislation prevents Harry from “participating in the housing market in any way.”
so all the poor minorities who live in NYCHA should move to a place they can afford…I totally agree!! no more handouts for people who cant live within their means!!
Well said–people like Henry should move to a place they can afford, which is why you compared him to someone who should move to a place they can afford.
Just curious: how much do NYCHA residents pay in maintenance charges? Or what’s that, you have no idea?! That’s what Henry was complaining about…
Thank you for agreeing with me, never even trying to say Henry shouldn’t move, and for comparing Henry’s reliance on others to, literally, people in the projects. I wasn’t trying to make him sound THAT bad but wow, the hyperbole.
I don’t see how switching to wind as an energy source will remove you from “participating in the housing market” but a source of funding is mentioned in the article; try reading it.
“The bill additionally calls for flooding hundreds of millions of dollars into communities”…no mention of funding sources…just giving millions to buy democratic votes….SOCIAL JUSTICE ‘YO!!!
So wait…money for communities that have “been most affected by pollution” no somehow equals “buy democratic votes?” Muh conspiracy!
Topped it off with tired phrase likes “SJW” lmao. Amp up that edge and blame AOC and Marxists!
I don’t see how that is possible. Please explain in detail. Thanks.
Co-op huh…wouldn’t be Glen Oaks by any chance?
This is a wonderful move forward in protecting all citizens, in fact, all of humanity from pollution and the disasters that will follow if we do not act to curb fossil fuel emissions. Hopefully all New Yorkers will move to using renewables to power their houses, vehicles, and all electrical devices.