Governor Cuomo Signs Landmark New York Climate Bill Into Law
Amazing news from Manhattan where I just watched Governor Cuomo sign the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into law. Today’s big win would not have been possible without the powerful voices of tireless community leaders and thousands of New Yorkers speaking up for a brighter, more equitable energy future. Together we made history!
New York’s bold climate commitment is a big deal. It means enough solar to power one million homes by 2025 and powering New York with 100% clean electricity by 2040. It means a future where no child will be forced to breathe toxic pollution from power plants in their neighborhood. It means the creation of thousands of local jobs dedicated to building a more resilient new energy economy. And it means critical investment in New York’s low-income and environmental justice communities, so that families that are most impacted by the climate crisis and the harmful burden of our fossil economy have the opportunity to thrive with clean energy.
This is exactly the kind of clean energy leadership that our communities, our economy and our climate urgently need — and I’m so inspired to see New York helping show the rest of the country that 100% clean power that works for 100% of people is 100% possible.
Over the past two years, we’ve given it our all for a strong clean economy that works for all New Yorkers. Huge thanks again to the thousands of Vote Solar members who took action in New York, as well as the mighty movement of environmental justice leaders, community groups, businesses, environmental advocates, and state lawmakers who tirelessly championed this bill across the finish line. It gives me hope about our fight against global climate change, standing with so many of these leaders and cheering on Governor Cuomo here at Fordham Law as he sets New York on a bold new path to a clean and just energy future.
It was a big day, but our work isn’t over. With these ambitious clean energy and climate goals now official, it will be up to the state’s utility regulators and other agencies to put a real plan in place to meet them. We’re ready to work with the Cuomo administration, regulators, community stakeholders, and advocates to shape that roadmap and ensure that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act lives up to its promise. Our lives and world that we’re leaving to our children depend on it.
Learn more about New York’s clean energy future at SolarStrongNY.org.
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Press Statement:
GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LANDMARK NY CLIMATE BILL INTO LAW
July 18, 2019: Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed into law the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, ambitious legislation that puts New York State on the path to 100% clean electricity by 2040 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050, codifies strong targets for deployment of clean energy technologies including solar, and provides critical funding to low-income and environmental justice communities.
“Today is a historic day, as Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature has set a new high bar for climate and clean energy action,” said Sean Garren, Northeast Senior Director for Vote Solar. “Our climate crisis demands both ambitious long-term goals to decarbonize our electricity system and the near-term renewable energy milestones and programs needed to drive immediate progress, create local jobs and provide healthier air for New York’s families. This landmark climate law does both while also including a strong commitment to investment in low-income and environmental justice communities, which will help ensure New York is taking steps to build a new energy economy that is both clean and just. We look forward to continuing to work with the Cuomo administration, community stakeholders, advocates and regulators to ensure that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act lives up to its promise. Our lives and world that we’re leaving to our children depend on it.”
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which the state legislature passed in June, includes a requirement for the state to develop six gigawatts of solar energy by 2025, enough to power one million homes throughout New York. Vote Solar is part of the Million Solar Strong Coalition, which pushed for passage of this ambitious solar goal and is comprised of industry, environmental, justice and community organizations united by the vision of a strong clean energy economy that works for all New Yorkers. A report released earlier this year by Vote Solar estimates that achieving this solar goal will sustain more than 11,000 jobs between now and 2025.
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