FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2023
Contact: Lee Ziesche, info@publicpowerny.org, 954-415-6228
Public Power NY slams Governor Hochul’s attempt to hijack climate budget talks with Big Fossil Bill
Albany, New York – As budget negotiations headed into overtime last week, Governor Hochul introduced a last minute, pro-fracked gas bill that would undermine the state’s climate law. The Public Power NY Coalition released the following statement:
“Budget negotiations should focus on how to unleash our states’ resources to meet the mandates of New York’s ground breaking climate law, not weaken it. If Governor Hochul is truly concerned about energy affordability she would do everything she could to get our state off of volatile, expensive fracked gas and empower the New York Power Authority to build cheap, publicly owned renewable energy for the New Yorkers who need it most.
So far Governor Hochul has taken budget negotiations hostage over settled bail reform law, denying popular climate legislation like the Build Public Renewables Act the space it deserves. Now she is attempting to hijack the climate conversation in the final days of negotiations by introducing a giveaway to fracked gas champions.
We will not be distracted and we will not horse trade over our future with the fossil fuel industry.The climate science is clear on gas and the economics are on the side of publicly-owned renewables. The next few days will show if Governor Hochul is a green job creator or climate denier.”
A report found the NYPA could save $1.2 billion by shutting down racist, gas plants and replacing them with renewables, creating tens of thousands of union jobs in the process.
The Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA) became a key issue in budget negotiations after the Governor included a stripped down version of the bill in her executive budget proposal. Advocates and legislators, including members of congress, have hit back hard, calling for the full BPRA, and Public Power NY unveiled a billboard saying “More New Yorkers want to Build Public Renewables than voted for Kathy Hochul”, referencing the bill’s popularity.
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Note to the editor:
About Public Power NY
The Public Power NY Coalition is a statewide movement of community and advocacy organizations, and thousands of New Yorkers fighting to pass the Build Public Renewables Act, the nation’s biggest climate bill. It will enable New York to unleash the New York Power Authority, the country’s largest public power provider, to build publicly owned, 100% renewable energy; slash energy costs for those who need it most; and create tens of thousands of green union jobs that will finally unionize the green energy sector. The bill is endorsed by unions representing over 1 million members in New York including 1199SEIU, NYSUT, PSC-CUNY, UUP, and UAW 9A.
Read our report: Public Power & Climate Leadership: Feasibility of 100% Fossil-Free NYPA by 2030
See photos from the Unleash Our Future Rally in Albany