New York, NY — Today, following a strong coordinated push by NY Renews and New Yorkers across the state, Senator Chuck Schumer announced his support for the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA) (CCPA, S2992/A3876) in the New York State legislature.
May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director, issued the following statement:
“We applaud Senator Schumer for announcing his support of the CCPA. This latest endorsement is a huge testament to people power built by NY Renews and communities across the state. New York has the opportunity to be a model for real climate action for the rest of the nation and the world. Now, the legislature must pass the strongest possible climate justice bill, and Governor Cuomo must sign it into law. The world is watching.”
Eddie Bautista, Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance and Steering Committee member for NY Renews, said: “We’re thrilled to have the support of Senate Minority Leader Schumer. New York has an opportunity to lead the nation in true climate justice legislation. Not only does the CCPA set an aggressive timeline to move our state’s entire economy off of fossil fuels, it recognizes that climate change impacts everyone, but does not do so equally. By investing directly in the communities hit first and worst by the climate crisis, the CCPA shows us what a just transition can look like. Our planet, our children, and our communities deserve no less.
In his letter, obtained by Marie French at Politico NY, Senator Schumer wrote, “Passage of the CCPA would position New York to lead the national debate on how we can tackle climate change and would offer an example for other states to follow – on how to do so while also building a more just and equitable economy … A transition to a 100% clean, renewable energy economy is estimated to create more than 200,000 jobs in New York in the first decade. Taking bold action today is a down payment on the state’s future. If we rise to the climate challenge we can create tens of thousands of good clean energy jobs, while we protect vulnerable communities—and secure a viable and vibrant future for those who will come after us.”
The CCPA would set New York State on a path to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. More than just a climate bill, the CCPA directs 40 percent of all state energy funds to communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, largely low-income communities and communities of color. In addition, it sets prevailing wage standards for green jobs.
The CCPA has majority sponsorship in the New York State Senate, and 69 sponsors in the New York State Assembly. Governor Cuomo has put forth a competing proposal, the Climate Leadership Act, which only sets a timeline to decarbonize NY State’s electricity sector (less than 20 percent of emissions), and which does not include wage standards or targeted investments in frontline communities.
The CCPA is supported by NY Renews, a coalition of over 170 environmental, community, justice, and labor groups across New York State.
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Contact: Lindsay Meiman, lindsay@350.org, +1 (347) 460-9082
The full text of the letter can be found here: https://politi.co/2M556MK