What's at stake:

Amid an escalating global climate emergency, as the Trump government destroys federal climate protections, New York should be stepping up to lead the nation. Instead, Governor Hochul is attempting to roll back key parts of New York’s climate law with the help of the State Legislature.

Governor Hochul’s claim is that implementing the law will lead to higher bills — but this is a bald-faced lie. Transitioning NY to clean energy can be done affordably and effectively, leading to cleaner air, lower bills, and healthier communities now and for generations to come.

Weakening the CLCPA will not lower bills. If affordability is the goal, the path forward is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels that expose families to price spikes and leave us at the whims of corporate utility greed. 

Implementing the climate law — which the Governor has yet to do during her last 5+ years in office — would help get off of fossil fuels, invest in low- or no-cost clean home heating and cooling systems and electric vehicles, expand access to affordable solar energy and efficient battery storage, and modernize NY’s outdated grid. 

Our elected representatives in the State Senate and Assembly need to hear from us NOW, while state budget negotiations are underway. 

Here's the letter you'll send:

Dear [LEGISLATOR],

My name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in your district in ZIP code [ZIP] and a NY Renews supporter. I am writing to urge you to advance and defend the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

At a time when federal leadership is attempting to dismantle national climate progress, it would be a grave error to weaken our state’s landmark climate law. Doing so will only further destabilize our climate, deepen our dependence on fossil fuels, pollute our air, and lock households into higher long-term fossil fuel energy and health costs — particularly frontline communities that have borne the brunt of pollution and climate impacts for decades.

The CLCPA is not just about emissions targets. It is about protecting New Yorkers’ health, lowering our energy bills through clean power, building a stronger and more reliable energy grid, creating good-paying jobs in the renewable energy sector, and preparing New York for a climate-resilient future.

As your constituent, I call on you to:

• Advance and defend the CLCPA: No rollbacks, no accounting tricks, and no delays.

• Ensure that the $1 billion Sustainable Future Program remains in the final budget.

• Launch a justly designed cap and invest program to:

  • Lower energy bills by over $1,000 per year for families making under $200,000, which would benefit nearly 85% of NY households;

  • Create 30,000 family-sustaining jobs annually across regions of the state;

  • Deliver up to $13 billion in annual health benefits by 2035 and prevent over 1,000 deaths and 137,000 emergency room visits from asthma; 

  • Provide credits for households and small businesses to install low- or no-cost electrification of home heating or transportation or energy efficiency systems.

I urge you to oppose any effort to weaken the CLCPA and to work with your colleagues in the legislature to ensure New York stays on track to meet its climate commitments while protecting our air, water, and communities.

Sincerely,

[NAME]