Hochul Wants To Pump The Brakes On New York’s Climate Law
State lawmakers push back as the governor warns the law would spike consumer energy bills.
by Chris Wade March 18, 2026, 9:12 AM
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging state lawmakers to delay aggressive emission mandates in New York’s landmark climate law, citing the impact on energy consumers from spikes in utility and gas bills. [some emphasis, links added]
Hochul said Monday she plans to roll out a proposal this week to scale back provisions of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which requires New York to reduce excess greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
“I think we need a longer runway,” she said in remarks in Buffalo. “All the goals we’re supposed to meet would have to be met by 2030, 2031. That’s not possible without prices going up.”
Hochul has warned that the aggressive goals in the landmark climate law could cost the average New Yorker up to $3,500 per year.
She has also said the law’s emissions reduction mandates are “unrealistic” amid the Trump administration’s efforts to end support for clean energy projects.
https://climatechangedispatch.com/hochul-new-york-climate-law-rollback/
