1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing today as a New Yorker urging immediate action to Fund Climate projects this year, and ensure the full implementation of New York’s landmark Climate Law. Governor Hochul’s decision to delay action on the Cap-Trade-and-Invest (CTI) program comes on the heels of an already slow rollout of the Climate Law. We cannot afford to put our communities and our future at further risk!  Research by NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and Resource for the Future confirms that an economy-wide CTI program could reduce our emissions and generate billions of dollars in revenue, if done right. NY Renews has come up with a plan on how NYS should spend this money effectively, and where it matters with their #FundClimate Campaign. The spending plan outlined in their demands ensure benefits to environmental justice communities, democratize how projects are designed and funded, create jobs, and increase affordability across the state.  The three main pillars of their campaign focuses on –  Upgrading existing homes by making it affordable to improve living conditions while electrifying and reducing emissions Establishing community-directed grants to design and implement community-led pollution reduction projects that center frontline solutions And upholding a spending criteria for state projects and programs that ensures money will be spent directly in cutting emissions, creating jobs, and investing in disadvantaged communities By supporting the Fund Climate Campaign, you have the opportunity to make a transformative investment in our state’s future—one that reduces harmful emissions, creates good-paying jobs, and ensures affordable, community-driven climate solutions. I urge you to prioritize the full implementation of the Climate Law, put the CTI program into effect, and Fund Climate now.  Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to making New York a climate leader.