“Through cap and invest, we can both clean up our air and create consistent revenue that invests in our communities and puts money back into New Yorkers’ pockets.”
The future of energy affordability in New York is being decided right now, and so far, we’re not impressed. Last year, days away from the expected rollout of proposed regulations for the state’s cap-and-invest program, Gov. Kathy Hochul decided to kick the climate can down the road.
Now, these life-saving regulations remain under bureaucratic lock and key while overburdened communities continue to pay for pollution, climate disasters, and skyrocketing costs with their wallets and health. This summer, as we discuss the first phase of the program, is a moment for bold leadership from the governor. The stakes couldn’t be higher for working-class New Yorkers, communities of color, and anyone who believes that clean air and economic justice go hand in hand.
The cap-and-invest program is simple: require corporate polluters to pay for their emissions and allow the state to invest that money in good-paying jobs that build out an infrastructure of energy efficiency, climate adaptation, public health, and energy affordability for New Yorkers. Currently, New York doesn’t have a tool that reduces our statewide emissions and raises ongoing funding for climate action. Through cap and invest, we can both clean up our air and create consistent revenue that invests in our communities and puts money back into New Yorkers’ pockets…