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Governor Signs Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

July 22nd, 2019

Governor Cuomo, joined by former Vice President Al Gore, signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) this week. The Governor also announced two offshore wind projects that are supposed to create 1,700 megawatts of renewable energy. The CLCPA requires the State to achieve a carbon free electricity system by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% below 1990 levels by 2050. Highlights of the new law include:
  • Economy-Wide Carbon Neutrality: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will, through the adoption of regulations, drive an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim mandate of 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 (both relative to 1990 levels). The Climate Action Council will develop a plan to offset remaining emissions through carbon capture or other technologies.
  • 70% Renewable Energy by 2030 and Zero-Carbon Emission Electric Sector by 2040: The CLCPA codifies goals as called for under the Governor’s Green New Deal, mandating that at least 70% of New York’s electricity come from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2030, and that the state’s power system is 100% carbon neutral by 2040.
  • Clean Energy Investments: The CLCPA also codifies the Governor’s commitments to install 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035; 6,000 megawatts of distributed solar by 2025; and 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030.
  • Climate Action Council and Policy Roadmap: Heads of relevant state agencies and legislative appointees will draft the roadmap of policies needed to achieve the law’s mandates. The Council, co-chaired by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and DEC will establish sector specific working groups. Planned working groups include a just transition working group, as well as working groups on transportation, agriculture, energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries, land use and energy efficiency.
  • Investments in Environmental Justice and Just Transition: Relevant state agencies will invest 35% of clean energy program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities, and will aim to invest 40%.
Governor Cuomo said:
“The environment and climate change are the most critically important policy priorities we face. They literally will determine the future – or the lack thereof. Even in today’s chaos of political pandering and hyperbole there are still facts, data and evidence – and climate change is an undeniable scientific fact. But cries for a new green movement are hollow political rhetoric if not combined with aggressive goals and a realistic plan on how to achieve them. With this agreement, New York will lead the way in developing the largest source of offshore wind power in the nation, and today I will sign the most aggressive climate law in the United States of America. Today we are true to the New York legacy – to lead the way forward, to govern with vision and intelligence, to set a new standard, and to match our words with action.”
Statement from the Business Council of NYS:
“The passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), puts New York in uncharted territory. The course the State takes will have a profound impact on families, communities, businesses, the State and possibly the world. Importantly, the CLCPA includes a commitment that New York’s climate policies will not cause leakage by addressing affordability and listening to the impacted business community. Carbon policies that global competitors are not subject to can put businesses at an economic disadvantage. If our companies are not competitive there is risk of job loss to other jurisdictions with weaker standards, ultimately resulting in higher global greenhouse gas emissions. We need to get this right, to avoid a potential shipwreck.”