FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1st, 2025
Contact: Jama Joseph, 646-951-1648, jama.joseph@weact.org
NEW YORK — WE ACT for Environmental Justice applauds New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement earlier today of a landmark $1 billion investment in New York’s Sustainable Future Program Supporting Climate Action and Jobs. This announcement reclaimed New York’s leadership in combating climate change—even as federal rollbacks threaten progress – and demonstrates the state’s commitment to advancing bold climate solutions that center equity, create good-paying jobs, and help build a thriving green economy.
This historic investment will allocate funding across key areas of New York’s Climate Action Plan to make the clean energy transition more affordable, accessible, and equitable for all New Yorkers:
Making the Transition More Affordable for Homeowners and Small Buildings: $150 million will launch the Green Small Buildings Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), to assist homeowners with energy-efficient upgrades, including heat pumps.
Empowering New Yorkers with Energy Efficiency: $50 million will expand the EmPower+ program, providing low- and moderate-income residents with no-cost home energy assessments and efficiency upgrades, with a focus on heat pump installations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Greening Our Schools: $50 million will help under-resourced public schools decarbonize, improving indoor air quality for students and staff while reducing carbon emissions.
Investing in Thermal Energy Networks: $200 million will expand thermal energy networks at municipal and State-owned buildings, including projects across the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
Expanding Clean Transportation Infrastructure: $100 million will fund zero-emission school buses and charging infrastructure. At least $50 million will support medium- and heavy-duty charging, including $15 million for depot charging and $35 million for shared “charging hubs” at distribution centers and ports. At least $50 million will expand EV charging rebates for workplaces, multifamily buildings, and public sector facilities.
Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects: $200 million will go to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to finance renewable generation projects, helping reduce costs for ratepayers while expanding clean energy capacity.
While today’s announcement marks a critically important step toward meeting New York’s climate goals, we also recognize that recent approvals of fossil fuel infrastructure projects, such as the Northeast Supply Expansion pipeline, undercut the state’s progress. To truly lead the nation, New York must continue to invest in clean energy while rejecting projects that lock us into decades of additional fossil fuel pollution.
“Governor Hochul’s announcement is a strong signal that New York is serious about tackling the climate crisis while investing in healthier homes, schools, and communities. These programs—especially the focus on low-income households, clean transportation, and renewable energy—will deliver real benefits to New Yorkers on the frontlines of pollution and climate change,” said Eric Walker, Energy Justice Senior Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “But we can’t afford to move forward with one hand and backward with the other. Approving new fossil fuel pipelines undermines the very progress we’re fighting for. If New York is going to meet its climate goals and ensure an equitable clean energy transition, we must stop doubling down on fossil fuels and fully commit to a just, renewable future.”
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in the creation 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, and Instagram.