In June 2019, the New York State Legislature passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the nation’s most progressive climate justice legislation. Since then, work has been underway to make the requirements of the law a reality.

The CLCPA created the Climate Action Council (CAC), which is responsible for developing a plan known as the “draft scoping plan” to serve as the framework for how NYS will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice for disadvantaged communities. On December 20, 2021 the Council voted to release the draft scoping plan for public comment. The draft scoping plan can be accessed here.

Today, NYSERDA will begin holding public hearings to receive feedback from the public before a final scoping plan is released by the end of 2022. The comment period ends June 10th, 2022 and they need to hear from us; we need to show up in big numbers to demonstrate that we, the people of New York, want to implement the CLCPA. 

This whole process has some investor-owned utilities and fossil fuel industries terrified - they know their profit model and main product is on its way out, and they know all they can do is slow down the phase-out of fossil fuels. They’ve launched a well-funded propaganda campaign to shake policymakers’ confidence in the feasibility of the obvious steps that need to be taken to bring down greenhouse gas emissions. 

We cannot allow them to supersede the voices of thousands of New Yorkers who are demanding urgent climate action now. If you’re interested in speaking at a public hearing, you can sign up for your region here (also pre-register to testify here to be given priority in seating and speaking). There are eight in-person hearings and two virtual hearings. 

If you need help writing your testimony, NY Renews has put together a Testimony 101 and is holding three calls on 4/11, 4/25, and 5/9 to help prepare you to testify. The Sierra Club also has a guide for writing and delivering testimony here. And if you want focused talking points on emissions from buildings, Jen Metzger of New Yorkers for Clean Power has your back with these talking points. You can also submit written comments through June 10, 2022 via the online public comment form, via email to [email protected], or via mail.

We hope you’ll join us in calling for the strongest possible draft scoping plan that 1) prioritizes environmental justice communities in our climate policy, 2) meets the emissions mandates in our climate law, and 3) rejects false solutions from New York’s plan for a livable future.