New York State Budget Advances Solar Despite Devastating Climate Law Rollbacks

Governor Hochul and New York lawmakers have finalized the state’s budget, which includes elements of key energy bills, but it misses the mark on critical clean energy progress the state needs. While the final budget included elements of the ASAP Act to support distributed solar with key interconnection and cost transparency reforms, and will support NY-Sun, the state’s low-income solar program. While these measures represent a meaningful step toward cleaner, more affordable energy, the budget effectively gutted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the state’s landmark climate law, which both exonerates the Hochul administration’s refusal to regulate and throws the state’s near-term imperative to decarbonize out the window. 

Vote Solar’s Senior Northeast Regional Director, Elena Weissmann, issued the following statement: 

“New York’s budget takes important steps toward a cleaner and more affordable energy future by encouraging equitable access to solar. But at a time when climate action is more urgent than ever, decision-makers made a critical mistake in reneging on the CLCPA, which was the result of years of community input, planning and democratic process, and had charted a clear path to a cleaner, fairer NY state. 

“This budget moves the state forward in a few tangible ways, but represents a capitulation of climate and economic leadership. With a few weeks left in the legislative session, New York still has the chance to advance solutions to the climate and affordability crises.  We will continue advocating for solutions that will create a cleaner energy system powered by the sun that lowers costs, creates jobs, and benefits all communities.”