Both houses of the New York State Legislature recently passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA or the Act), which Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign into law. This legislation will create a new, comprehensive regulatory program that will require a broad array of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources to curtail their emissions in New York state. Passage of the Act represents the culmination of a multi-year effort by NY Renews—a coalition of over 150 grassroots, state, and national organizations—to compel GHG reductions through legislation and to address the impacts of climate change and other pollution on disadvantaged communities. The legislation builds on New York state’s significant leadership role in reducing GHG emissions by its creation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
