Hochul Admits 'Climate' Law Is Toxic for NY, But Delays Action

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul is finally acknowledging that the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is severely damaging the economy and making life unaffordable for working families. However, instead of calling for a full repeal of the law, Hochul is only seeking to delay the implementation of the law's strict emissions reduction mandates as part of this year's budget negotiations.

Why it matters

The 2019 climate law has been widely criticized as an expensive and impractical policy that will drive up energy costs, constrain reliable energy supply, and face fierce local opposition to new renewable energy projects. Hochul's reluctance to fully repeal the law suggests she is still beholden to the political interests of green extremists rather than prioritizing the economic well-being of New Yorkers.

The details

The 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to cut carbon emissions 40% by 2030, with even stricter reductions in later years. Hochul now admits this is an unrealistic and economically damaging goal, but rather than repealing the law, she only wants to delay the deadlines, likely as part of this year's state budget negotiations. This would give legislators political cover to avoid the law's harsh consequences, at least until after Hochul's re-election campaign.

• The 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was passed into law.
• Hochul is seeking to delay the emissions reduction deadlines in the 2019 law as part of this year's state budget negotiations.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Hochul plans to seek a delay in the emissions reduction deadlines in the 2019 climate law as part of this year's state budget negotiations, likely to provide political cover for legislators to avoid the law's harsh consequences until after the 2024 election.