Tell Lawmakers: Protect SEQRA and the Climate in the Budget

This is a very dangerous time for New York’s environment. The Trump administration has severely undermined foundational laws that protect clean air and water and has thwarted our efforts to fight climate change by blocking clean energy projects and deregulating carbon emissions. We need New York lawmakers to push back and protect the health and safety of our communities - because Trump’s agenda is costing us our future.

But instead of standing strong, Governor Hochul has aligned herself with Trump’s policies by approving once dead fracked gas pipelines New Yorkers do not need and cannot afford, issuing permits to dirty cryptocurrency mines once deemed in violation of our Climate Law, and suspending other laws that would advance emissions free buildings - all prolonging our dependence on expensive fossil fuels. And these giveaways to big polluters are just the start. Will you ask your legislative leaders to push back on Governor Hochul's reckless assault on our environmental laws?

In her executive budget, Hochul proposes to gut the State Environmental Review Act (SEQRA) by exempting most housing and other development projects from necessary environmental review, a move that will lead to more sprawl and do little to address the affordable housing crisis. The precedent of weakening SEQRA will lead to a cascade of other carve outs, as we have seen in states like California, which means even greater impacts to biodiversity, clean water and livable communities. Please tell the Legislature to protect New York’s primary environmental protection law from any changes during the budget process.

Last fall, a court ordered the Hochul administration to release climate regulations that were already two years late. She appealed, rather than comply with the law, in a refusal to implement the revenue generating ‘Cap and Invest’ program. ‘Cap and Invest’ would have established a sector-wide limit on pollution, created a credit-based financial incentive for businesses to reduce emissions, and reinvested the revenues back into disadvantaged communities, low to middle income households, small businesses, and decarbonization initiatives across New York. It is by design an affordability program for New Yorkers that will generate at least 3 billion dollars a year to help us transition to a clean energy future.

Governor Hochul is now asking the Legislature to amend the climate law, by moving the goal posts and removing key mandates to its implementation. The Legislature needs to hold firm, understanding that this may be one of the last opportunities for New York State to redirect the trajectory of this global climate catastrophe as the tenth largest economy in the world. New York needs a 'Cap and Invest' program, but in the interim, we urge the Legislature to work with Governor Hochul to allocate at least $1 billion in the FY2027 budget to the ‘Sustainable Future Fund’ to pay for innovative climate capital projects and programs like the Empower + program, thermal energy networks, renewable energy projects, electric public transit and climate resiliency planning. The one thing we know about addressing the climate crisis - inaction is always the most expensive option.

We have problems enough with Trump eviscerating environmental laws without having Governor Hochul undermining the Climate Law and weakening the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Please demand accountability from New York lawmakers and urge them to get the state back on track with our climate obligations.

Thank you for all you do to protect New York’s environment - send your message today!

831

signatures of 0 goal

Continue

Title

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

Your Message

Subject

Gutting our Climate Law won't make energy more affordable

Add a Personal Message

Personal messages make a big impact on decision makers. Please add a note about why this issue matters to you!

1000 characters remaining

Message

This is a very dangerous time for New York’s environment. As a constituent I fear for the health and safety of my family and community. The Trump administration has severely undermined foundational laws that protect clean air and water and has thwarted our efforts to fight climate change by blocking clean energy projects and deregulating carbon emissions. We need New York lawmakers to push back and protect the health and safety of our communities - because Trump’s agenda is costing us our future. But instead of standing strong, Governor Hochul has aligned herself with Trump’s policies by approving once dead fracked gas pipelines New Yorkers do not need and cannot afford, issuing permits to dirty cryptocurrency mines once deemed in violation of our Climate Law, and suspending other laws that would advance emissions free buildings - all prolonging our dependence on expensive fossil fuels. And these giveaways to big polluters are just to start. In her executive budget, she proposes to gut the State Environmental Review Act (SEQRA) by exempting most housing and other development projects from necessary environmental review, a move that will lead to more sprawl and do little to address the affordable housing crisis. The precedent of weakening SEQRA will lead to a cascade of other carve outs, as we have seen in states like California, which means even greater impacts to biodiversity, clean water and livable communities. Last fall, a court ordered the Hochul administration to release climate regulations that were already two years late. She appealed, rather than comply with the law, in a refusal to implement the revenue generating ‘Cap and Invest’ program. ‘Cap and Invest’ would have established a sector-wide limit on pollution, created a credit-based financial incentive for businesses to reduce emissions, and reinvested the revenues back into disadvantaged communities, low to middle income households, small businesses, and decarbonization initiatives across New York. It is by design an affordability program for New Yorkers that will generate at least 3 billion dollars a year to help us transition to a clean energy future. Governor Hochul is now asking the Legislature to amend the climate law, by moving the goal posts and removing key mandates to its implementation. The Legislature needs to hold firm, understanding that this may be one of the last opportunities for New York State to redirect the trajectory of this global climate catastrophe as the tenth largest economy in the world. New York needs a 'Cap and Invest' program, but in the interim, I urge the Legislature to work with Governor Hochul to allocate at least $1 billion in the FY2027 budget to the ‘Sustainable Future Fund’ to pay for innovative climate capital projects and programs like the Empower + program, thermal energy networks, renewable energy projects, electric public transit and climate resiliency planning. I am urging you to vote against plans to undermine the Climate Law and weaken the State Environmental Quality Review Act. I am asking for your leadership to foster a new era of affordable energy, understanding that with climate change, inaction is our most expensive option. Thank you for all you do to protect New York’s environment,

By taking this action to protect the planet, you are affirming you want to receive regular Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board.