FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2024
Contact: Jama Joseph, (646) 951-1648, jama.joseph@weact.org
NEW YORK — In her annual State-of-the-State address yesterday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul outlined plans to advance the state’s climate goals. While WE ACT for Environmental Justice acknowledges her focus on climate action and the inclusion of funding for the thermal energy network as a step in the right direction, we remain deeply concerned that these plans fail to address the urgency or the scale of the challenges of the climate policy crisis — in particular, impacting the realities faced by low-income communities and communities of color. These communities are disproportionately affected by rising energy costs, the growing unaffordability of basic needs, and increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters fueled by climate change. And despite bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, they are often excluded from the benefits of the transition to a renewable energy economy.
Governor Hochul’s proposals lacked the decisive actions needed to confront the environmental justice challenges faced by frontline communities. We are especially disappointed by the absence of the NY HEAT Act and the lack of progress to establish a robust Cap-and-Invest program that prioritizes resources for those most affected by environmental injustices. We strongly urge the Governor to address these critical issues in her executive budget.
After years of effort, the Scoping Plan is clear: cap and invest is the most cost-effective way to transition our state to a clean energy economy. “We need strong leadership, not half measures. A robust Cap-and-Invest program can unlock billions for investments that drive economic development, cleaner air, and energy affordability in local communities—without placing burdens on the state’s broader economy,” said Eric Walker, Senior Policy Manager for Energy Justice at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
The NY HEAT Act – a key piece of legislation that would tackle energy affordability head on, unlock billions for clean energy upgrades, and ensure no household spends more than 6 percent of its income on energy- was notably absent from the Governor’s address. This omission leaves 1.4 million New Yorkers struggling with high energy costs and delays progress on achieving the state’s mandated climate goals.
Additionally, the Governor failed to address the barriers that prevent many households from accessing energy efficiency programs due to environmental hazards in their homes. WE ACT is calling for the passage of the Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Fund (A9170/S8535), which would allocate $200 million to help low-income households overcome these barriers and participate in clean energy initiatives.
Governor Hochul still has the opportunity to strengthen her climate agenda. WE ACT urges her to prioritize equitable solutions in her final budget, ensuring that New York’s most impacted communities are at the forefront of the state’s transition to a clean energy economy.
WE ACT remains committed to working with the Governor, state legislators, and their staff to advance policies that are equitable, affordable, and inclusive. We also look forward to reviewing the Executive Budget later this month. Read our full 2025 policy agenda for more insights.
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan-based, membership-driven organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents are meaningfully included in the development of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter, and Instagram.