NY Renews Calls on Gov Hochul’s Administration to Invest in Wind and Solar—and Take the Financial Burden Off of New Yorkers
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***: October 12, 2023
Contact: Marie Scarles, marie@nyrenews.org
Web: @NYRenews | www.nyrenews.org
With critical progress toward NY’s clean energy mandates in jeopardy, Gov. Hochul’s administration must prioritize major climate investments in the 2024-2025 Executive Budget
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration rejected a request from companies for bigger payments to complete large-scale wind, solar, and offshore wind projects that would help New York reach the mandates of the state climate law, which requires 70 percent of electricity in 2030 to come from renewable resources, noting that doing so would double the costs to ratepayers. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
“In rejecting updated bids from major wind and solar developers building the energy infrastructure we need to secure a clean-energy future for New York, noting that it could double costs to ratepayers, Gov. Hochul and the Public Service Commission set up a false equivalency,” said Stephan Edel, Executive Director of NY Renews. “New York can and should be funding renewable energy projects without relying solely on funding that comes from the pockets of working New Yorkers. In one of the richest states in the richest country in the history of the world, we need state leaders to invest in renewable energy projects funded by making major fossil fuel corporations, the wealthiest billionaire New Yorkers, and polluters pay—not households. New York will not be able to meet the mandates of the climate law without significant, annual investments in renewable energy. It’s up to the Hochul administration to prioritize the funding we need, year over year, to make it a reality.”
"We are at a crucial juncture. If the PSC and Governor Hochul allow these critical projects to falter, the implementation of our climate law will be delayed by years,” said Conor Bambrick, Director of Policy, Environmental Advocates NY. “This isn't just about energy; it's about the health and well-being of New Yorkers. Continued reliance on dirty peaker power plants means more years of poor air quality, with the dire health and economic consequences that come with it. The potential setback to the offshore wind industry isn't just a blow to clean energy but a loss of job opportunities from Sunset Park to Albany. It's time for promises to align with action."
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NY Renews is a coalition of nearly 400 environmental justice, community, faith, labor, and multi-issue organizations fighting for just climate policy for New Yorkers. We are the force behind the nation's most aggressive climate law, the NY State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, enacted in 2019. The Climate, Jobs & Justice Package is the next step in our fight for climate justice in New York.