ALBANY, New York — A dividing line is forming over New York’s ambitious climate goals and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s affordability push. And state Democrats are starting to take sides.
Hochul signaled she’s open to changing the state’s landmark 2019 law requiring massive emissions cuts after a judge ruled her administration must issue regulations to achieve its targets. She has steered the state toward an “all of the above” energy policy as she focuses on affordability and reliability concerns ahead of a tough reelection next year.
And her latest actions — approving a pipeline and a gas power plant permit, plus delaying a mandate to electrify new buildings — have raised the ire of environmental advocates and progressive lawmakers, who warn years of progress are at risk.
“It is tragic to know that we have an executive who is willing … to throw away the will of the people because of fearmongering and because of the oil and gas industry’s bottom line,” said state Assemblymember Emily Gallagher (D), who sponsored the legislation to electrify new buildings that Hochul’s administration has put on hold. “I hope that the governor will come to her senses and see that she is destroying her credibility and she is destroying our state.”
