Proclamation Reaffirms New York's Commitment to Combat Climate Change, Make Communities More Resilient, and Create More Equitable Opportunities for All New Yorkers
Supports Achievement of New York’s Clean Energy Targets
Read 2023 Proclamation Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation announcing Sept. 17-24, 2023, as Climate Week in New York State. The announcement reaffirms New York’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, make communities more resilient, drive action to tackle climate change and advance environmental justice, ensure affordability as part of the clean energy transition, and create new jobs and opportunities for future generations. Climate Week is observed in New York City each year, this year marking the 15th year as New York State advances its efforts to achieve the State’s nation-leading climate and clean energy targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
"New York is advancing one of the nation's most ambitious plans to reduce harmful emissions that are affecting our climate and disproportionately impacting our communities," Governor Hochul said. "Our steadfast commitment and transformative investments in clean and renewable energy projects are helping to ensure that New York remains at the forefront of climate action with a focus on environmental justice to achieve a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment for all New Yorkers.”
Severe storms and flooding, extreme heat and wildfires, drought, and air pollution have threatened New Yorkers' health and quality of life, and our infrastructure continues to be threatened by climate-related hazards. In 2019, New York State enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), requiring a reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, and 85 percent by 2050, putting the state on a path to carbon neutrality. The New York State Climate Action Council, created pursuant to the Climate Act, finalized a Scoping Plan last December to provide a roadmap for the State to reduce its emissions.
New York State is putting environmental justice front and center with a commitment to provide disadvantaged communities with 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of overall benefits of investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. The State’s Climate Justice Working Group, comprised of representatives from environmental justice communities statewide, finalized the criteria identifying disadvantaged communities across the state last March. The Climate Act also establishes the most aggressive clean energy agenda in the nation, requiring 70 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030, and 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.
The Enacted Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget included investments in sustainable buildings, energy affordability, and clean energy development. The Budget makes New York the first state in the nation to advance comprehensive legislation for constructing modern zero-emission new homes and buildings, advancing zero-emission new buildings seven stories or lower, except large commercial and industrial buildings, by December 31, 2025, and all other new buildings by December 31, 2028.
The Budget also advances Governor Hochul’s priority to propose an affordable, equitable, and effective Cap-and-Invest Program, which will establish a cap on greenhouse gas emissions, limit potential costs to New Yorkers, invest proceeds in programs that drive emission reductions in an equitable manner, and maintain the competitiveness of New York businesses and industries. The Budget also includes $400 million to provide relief to New Yorkers experiencing high electric bills as well as lower-energy burdens through energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits.
New York State has solar, onshore wind and offshore wind projects along with new transmission projects under development. Once completed, these projects will help transform the way homes and businesses are powered across the state. The State is also investing in the increased resilience and reliability of the transmission system through the development of numerous high-impact projects that will enable the efficient transfer of renewable power throughout the State.
As a leader in the transition to clean and renewable energy, New York State is investing in innovative technologies that are creating new economic opportunities across the state, including programs like NY-Sun, ReCharge NY, NY Green Bank, as well as programs to assist communities to implement locally-based climate action, including the statewide community air monitoring initiative, Regional Clean Energy Hubs, BuildSmart2025, Smart Street Lighting NY, Evolve NY, and Charge NY.
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