KINGSTON – Do not Delay. That is the message from Ulster County leadership, lawmakers and climate advocates as they call on Governor Hochul to keep the New York State Climate Act in place.
Last week, the Governor proposed rolling back the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) as part of state budget negotiations.
On Friday, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, State Senator Michelle Hincey (D, Saugerties) and community leaders gathered at Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) in Kingston to publicly appeal the move and to demonstrate that a climate solution can also be an affordable solution.
“We have seven electric buses that are charged right here with a 205-kilowatt solar system on the roof, that provides more than enough electricity for the fleet,” said Metzger. “It’s low cost, low emissions, and our residents ride for free.”
Metzger says the electric buses are a huge benefit to those who are being slammed by high gas prices, noting that the system saved taxpayers $85,000 in maintenance and operating costs last year. She says more savings will happen now with the recent spike in diesel fuel due to the war with Iran.
The 2019 Climate Act requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 40 percent by 2030 and by 85 percent by 2050.
Hochul said that timeline would result in higher utility costs for many New Yorkers who are already struggling.
“Affordability is not an excuse to weaken the CLPCA,” said Anna Markowitz, Executive Director of Communities for Local Power.
“The work that’s being done under this law is already making the lives of New Yorkers more affordable every day,” said Markowitz. “We see families saving money when they get their homes weatherized and lower utility bills when residents switch to heat pumps. The CLPCA is also an economic engine. It’s creating good-paying, local jobs that allow people to build sustainable futures in their own communities.”
Hinchey says that New York must attempt to move forward with clean energy despite the failings of the Trump Administration.
“We have to make sure that we are living up to our constitutional right,” said Hinchey. “Clean energy is cheaper. We know that. It’s also a national security crisis to not be investing in our clean energy and locally produced energy like wind and solar.”
The lawmaker says she has a robust plan to put forward in the Senate that would include bringing back the Heat Pump Rebate Program, which was extinguished by President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” It would provide up to $2,000 or 30 percent of the cost of a heat pump.
Hinchey is also proposing to double the residential solar tax credit from $5,000 to $10,000 and to include $1 billion for the sustainable futures program, which would provide funding for affordable energy and climate measures.
The state lawmaker noted that President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” killed many energy climate programs that helped people save money in their homes. It also eradicated many previously agreed-upon, federal grants and initiatives, including those for farmers.
“The costs of delayed action will only increase with time,” said Metzger. “And in this moment when our federal government is failing us, the states have to lead.”