ALBANY, New York — Gov. Kathy Hochul has rolled back one of the nation’s most ambitious climate laws in deep-blue New York — and likely won’t face any political fallout.
New York is the only Democratic bastion to weaken emissions reduction targets enacted in a wave of optimism about state-level climate action during President Donald Trump’s first term. It’s a marked shift for Hochul and the state, which has often vied with California for the mantle of climate leadership.
The governor’s pivot on energy issues reflects a national evolution for Democrats as concerns about rising costs clash with environmental priorities. They’re also grappling with the financial repercussions of President Donald Trump’s outspoken antipathy toward renewables as he moves to block projects and gut incentives.
Hochul is focused on affordability issues as she runs for reelection and her only progressive primary challenger — who’d tacked to her left on environmental issues — dropped out after failing to gain traction.
