Leaked memo suggests NY Gov. Hochul may roll back climate law

The memo claims elements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act are unbeneficial to New Yorkers.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A leaked memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority suggests that New York Governor Kathy Hochul may roll back parts of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The memo focuses on the Clean Air Initiative, a cap-and-invest program that it claims would make energy less affordable for New Yorkers.

Why it matters

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is a key piece of New York's climate legislation, and any rollback could significantly impact the state's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy. This comes as Hochul already faces challenges in enacting the state's climate goals due to federal funding cuts and increased costs.

The details

The memo claims the Clean Air Initiative, which limits greenhouse gas emissions statewide and uses revenue from emissions allowances to fund renewable energy development, would make energy less affordable for consumers. However, environmental advocates say the memo intentionally excludes consumer protections like rebates and home weatherization investments that were part of the original law.

  • The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was enacted as a state law in 2019.
  • In late 2022, a court ruled that New York had violated the law's implementation goals.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who may roll back parts of the state's climate law.

Vanessa Fajans-Turner

The executive director of Environmental Advocates New York, who said the memo is "intentionally misleading" about the law's consumer protections.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The state agency that produced the leaked memo suggesting a rollback of the climate law.

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What they’re saying

“The scenario this latest memo prices quietly excludes all material protections for consumers. It is a scenario no one was seriously considering for implementation.”

— Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates New York

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the state to move forward with the proposed rollback of the climate law.

The takeaway

This leaked memo highlights the ongoing challenges New York faces in implementing its ambitious climate goals, as political and economic pressures threaten to undermine the state's landmark climate legislation. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for New York's environmental future.