Dozens of advocates and concerned residents gathered at the Executive Building in Mineola on Friday, urging state legislators to defend New York State's landmark climate law from Gov. Kathy Hochul's intent to revise the policy.
The 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. Hochul wrote about the policy in an opinion piece published by the Empire Report released on Friday.
Following the loss of federal support for solar, wind and other pollution initiatives and the rapid increase of oil prices, Hochul suggested that the climate act could lead to severe cost increases without compromising on emission reduction goals.
"So much has radically changed since the Climate Act was enacted, necessitating common-sense adjustments that keep us on our path to a greener future in a way that is affordable for New Yorkers," she wrote.
Eric Weltman, senior organizer of the national nonprofit Food and Water Watch, led the rally.
"We are here because Gov Hochul, unfortunately, is threatening to weaken New York'slandmark climate law, and we're here to urge our legislators to stand up and defend and protect the climate law," he said.
The policy offers several benefits, Weltman said; it reduces costs related to fossil fuels, decreases air pollution and supports a shift towards renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Multiple community organizations protested against talks to decrease the goals, including Food and Water Watch, NYPIRG, New York Communities for Change, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Transition Town Port Washington, South Shore Audubon Society, Green Part of Nassau County, All Our Energy, Grassroots Environmental Education, Renewable Heat Now as well as Bend the Arc Jewish Action: Long Island.
