Coalition Forms To Call on Governor Hochul To Release Cap-and-Invest Rules, Cut Pollution, Protect Clean Air
Following Governor Hochul’s Retreat from her Signature Climate Proposal, Coalition Calls Out Failure of Leadership and Urges Action to Modernize Infrastructure and Lower Electric Bills
Albany, NY – Today, a broad new coalition, New Yorkers for Clean Air, formed to urge Governor Hochul to cut pollution and protect clean air by releasing the anticipated cap-and-invest rules. After retreating from her signature climate program, the coalition of environmental groups, environmental justice groups, businesses, and community-based and public health organizations is demanding leadership to prioritize the health and safety of New Yorkers over corporate interests.
The coalition calls on Governor Hochul to advance the cap-and-invest program to:
- Protect clean air: Healthier kids, longer lives, and a future free from worry about the air we breathe and the water we drink.
- Invest in infrastructure: Cap-and-invest will fund critical upgrades to aging infrastructure, improve public transit, enhance energy efficiency, and expand clean energy solutions for our communities.
- Lower electric bills: Rising energy costs are hurting New York families. Cap-and-invest will deliver utility rebates and invest in a more affordable, sustainable energy future.
- Hold corporations accountable: Governor Hochul must require oil and gas corporations to reduce harmful emissions and protect clean air and a healthier environment.
Association for Energy Affordability Director, Advocacy and Organizing Betta Broad said, "We urge Governor Hochul to move forward with a cap-and-invest program which will enable more New Yorkers to benefit from cleaner air, access to clean energy solutions and long-term energy affordability. By delaying the implementation of New York's Climate Act, we are maintaining our reliance on dirty, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure instead of investing in our clean energy future.”
Environmental Advocates NY Executive Director Vanessa Fajans-Turner said, “The climate crisis isn’t pausing, and neither should New York. Every delay in implementing Cap-and-Invest increases the burden on disadvantaged communities, leads to higher bills for everyone, worsens harmful emissions, and allows polluters to go unchecked—all while climate change costs continue to skyrocket, with over $1 billion in damages in New York last year. This program holds polluters accountable, cuts emissions, and invests in neglected communities. The solution is ready—Governor Hochul must act now to deliver the just and sustainable future New Yorkers deserve.”
Environmental Defense Fund Sr. Manager State Climate Policy Kate Courtin said, “Now is the time for Governor Hochul to advance New York Cap-and-Invest. Further delay of this program will only delay benefits that New Yorkers want — cleaner air, lower energy bills and more resilient communities. At a time of sweeping federal rollbacks and increasing cost burdens from climate change-fueled disasters, we cannot afford to kick the can down the road. It is time for bold leadership and comprehensive solutions. We urge Governor Hochul to move this program forward and deliver clean air and a safe future for New Yorkers.”
Evergreen Action Senior State Program Director Justin Balik said, “Governor Hochul faces a choice: hold big polluters accountable and deliver real investments in communities, or squander a moment that calls for her leadership. Cap-and-invest isn’t just about cleaner air—it’s about lowering household energy costs and protecting consumers from the financial and health impacts of the climate crisis. Recommitting to this program will not only ensure New York is able to achieve its climate commitments, but also defend the state’s legacy as a national leader in ambitious policies. We hope the governor reconsiders her position and moves urgently to advance what would be a landmark policy for New York’s economy, environment, and communities.”
NRDC Policy Director, New York, Climate & Energy Sam Wilt said, “Governor Hochul’s unwarranted delay in launching cap-and-invest means that the promise of cleaner air for disadvantaged communities and more affordable, modern energy infrastructure, homes, and transportation will all take longer to deliver for New Yorkers. Instead of delivering what's best for New York, she’s leaving money on the table and pollution in the air.”
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “The impacts of climate change are growing in severity and frequency, and with federal climate leadership faltering, we need leaders in Albany that are willing to take bold, decisive action to cut air pollution and lower emissions. That is why we need Governor Hochul to follow through on her commitment to implement a robust Cap-and-Invest program, which will at once provide the stick needed to hold corporate polluters accountable while offering the carrots to incentivize the build out of clean energy solutions.”
New Yorkers for Clean Power Policy and Research Director Anshul Gupta said, “There has never been a more important time to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and support common sense programs that will help New Yorkers transition to clean, modern technologies. We are calling on Governor Hochul to fight for cleaner air, healthier communities and a safer climate, and stop stalling on a cap-and-invest program in New York.”
The Nature Conservancy in New York Policy and Strategy Director Jessica Ottney Mahar said, "The Nature Conservancy urges Governor Hochul to release the regulations that would enact New York's Cap and Invest program. The climate emergency grows more urgent every day with fires burning our towns and cities, clean drinking water dwindling during droughts, and rising seas threatening entire communities. We need New York’s leadership more than ever before. The State’s Cap and Invest program would reduce harmful pollution, invest in infrastructure, and build a safer future for generations to come. We need to move forward with climate solutions without further delay."
WE ACT for Environmental Justice Senior Policy Manager for Energy Justice Eric Walker said, “Governor Hochul’s bait and switch on Cap-and-Invest is hard to understand for environmental justice communities, which are hit first and worst by climate change and struggling to pay their energy bills. We need to implement an ambitious program that delivers on the promise of our climate law and meaningfully accounts for the high price our communities pay for pollution. It could unlock billions of dollars for investments that drive sustainable economic development, increase energy affordability, improve public health, and direct funds into neighborhoods to support community-led clean energy transitions.”
Acadia Center Policy Analyst Paola Tamayo said, “Every New Yorker deserves to live in a community with clean air and a safe environment. Governor Hochul has the opportunity to take meaningful action and leave a legacy of environmental and economic justice.”
American Lung Association AVP for Nationwide Advocacy and State Public Policy Mike Seilback said, “Every day of inaction means more pollution in our air, more asthma attacks, and more lives put at risk. The science is clear: stronger policies like cap-and-invest are essential to reducing harmful emissions and protecting health. Governor Hochul must act now to deliver the cleaner air and healthier future that all New Yorkers deserve.”
Bedford 2030 Executive Director Midge Iorio said, “It's crucial to enact the cap-and-invest plan to fight climate change, cut air pollution, keep our communities healthier, and create a strong, sustainable economy for the future.”
Citizens for Regional Transit President Douglas Funke said, “Investments in high speed, high capacity, public transit are required for meeting CLCPA requirements.”
Elected Officials to Protect America Co-Founder and Executive Director Dominic Frongillo said, “Now is the time for New York State to lead by investing in our communities, protecting our health, and safeguarding our future for all we represent.”
Federated Conservations of Westchester County (FCWC) said, “Curbing greenhouse gas emissions with the NYS Cap-and-Invest program will limit potential costs to New Yorkers, invest proceeds in programs that equitably drive emission reductions, and maintain the competitiveness of New York businesses and industries. Cap-and-Invest will ensure the state meets the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements.”
Frack Action NY Director Renee Vogelsang said, "New Yorkers care deeply about protecting clean air, clean water, and leading on climate change. Cap and invest is a critical tool to hold corporations accountable for harmful air pollution and emissions, and it's vital that Governor Hochul advance the cap and invest program now."
Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow (NeST) Director of Clean Energy Programs Adam Flint said, "NeST has been working in the trenches with community members, contractors and NYSERDA for more than a decade. With the passage of the CLCPA in 2019, we had hoped that the days of making do with inadequate programs to support residents in getting clean energy improvements on their homes was behind us. Fast forward to 2025, and Albany still has failed to allocate the funding necessary for the State to comply with the law and its commitment to rapidly transition to a clean energy economy, and the Governor has once again kicked the can down the road by stalling on Cap and Invest. With an administration in Washington who is actively hostile to New York State in general and climate policy in particular, and with utility rates skyrocketing, this cannot stand. Most New Yorkers struggle to pay their energy bills, most particularly those from disadvantaged communities. Governor Hochul must keep to the original timeline and put Cap and Invest in her budget, and the legislature must adopt that."
New York Communities for Change (NYCC) Rachel Rivera said, "My family lost everything in superstorm Sandy and my youngest has serious health issues, including respiratory problems. Governor Hochul shouldn't run New York like Trump, the NYPost and oil and gas billionaires would want by derailing cap and invest. She should stand up to them by setting a strong cap and invest program to cut pollution, which would also create good, union jobs and lower energy bills for working New Yorkers like me.”
NY-GEO Executive Director Christine Hoffer said, "NYCI is structured to ratchet down climate pollution while giving New Yorkers a break on our electric bills. NY-GEO supports the timely adoption of NYCI, and our members stand ready to assist building owners in transitioning to renewable, affordable and emission-free geothermal heating and cooling."
Regional Plan Association (RPA) VP of Energy and Environment Programs Rob Freudenberg said, “Now is the time for our leaders to permanently protect our air and water by powering our economy and heating our homes with clean, homegrown renewable energy. Governor Hochul has an historic opportunity to deliver these benefits to all New Yorkers while avoiding costly investment in fossil fuel infrastructure by advancing a cap-and-invest program this year.”
Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez said, “New York must move forward with cap-and-invest and seize this opportunity to deliver cleaner air, lower energy bills, and good-paying jobs to New Yorkers. We urge Governor Hochul to make good on her word, see through the implementation of this program, and ensure a healthier, cleaner, and more efficient future for New York.”
Save the Sound Vice President of Water Protection David Ansel said, "Air pollution doesn't just impact air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions also threaten clean water. Extreme weather leads to increased amounts of stormwater carrying sewage, trash, oil, pesticides, and other contaminants into Long Island Sound and waters across the state. These emissions contribute to warming waters, which hold less oxygen than cooler waters, potentially resulting in hypoxic dead zones that cannot sustain fish or other aquatic animals. Save the Sound's mission is to protect and restore the air, land, and water of the Long Island Sound region, and so we urge Governor Hochul to release the Cap & Invest regulations that would protect all of our natural resources."
Sierra Club Senior Organizing Representative Jessica Enzmann said, “New York State has a historic opportunity to lead the fight against climate change by advancing cap-and-invest this year but instead Governor Hochul has stalled the program preventing a $3 billion annual revenue stream from beginning. This policy will not only hold polluters accountable but also drive critical investments into clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental justice. With every delay, we risk greater harm to our communities and climate. Now is the time to act boldly and ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all New Yorkers.”
Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative Coordinator Peter Bardaglio said, “Cap-and-Invest is critical to meeting the targets of the state's Climate Law. It also ensures New York can provide the level of investment necessary to make our homes more energy efficient while also boosting our economy. Most importantly, Gov. Hochul's delay in rolling out the program's regulations ignores the urgency of the moment: the climate emergency has arrived and we must deal with it immediately.”
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About New Yorkers for Clean Air
New Yorkers for Clean Air is a coalition of environmental and environmental justice advocates, businesses, community-based and public health organizations, and everyday New Yorkers who believe that everyone deserves to breathe clean air and drink safe water. Together, we’re fighting for a healthier, more sustainable future for our state.
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