It’s Time to Get Climate Policy Correct
It’s time to face the facts: New York State’s climate legislation is not working. While the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) was passed with the best intentions, it is causing undue hardship for businesses and families throughout our state. Recent data from NYSERDA shows that without changes, by 2031, households in our upstate community will face additional costs of over $4,000 annually, directly tied to this legislation.
When we’re already facing an ongoing affordability crisis, we owe it to our community to do everything possible to cut costs and support hard-working families. We’re reaching a point where families are going to have to choose between keeping the heat on and putting food on the table – a choice no one should have to make. CLCPA enforcement costs will add to already heightened costs stemming from tariffs and general inflation, impacting businesses and consumers alike. Adverse effects will be felt throughout every segment of the economy, from construction materials to medical supplies, retail goods to advanced technologies.
When approaching our state’s future, we cannot let perfect be the enemy of progress. Adjusting the timelines for CLCPA goals is not abandoning our climate or our future. It’s simply being realistic and prioritizing a practical, long-term, and collaborative path forward rather than choosing short-term, punitive wins based on righteous ideology alone. By leaving these regulations in place, we increase the cost to live and do business in New York State. This pushes families out of our state and pushes businesses to open or expand in other, less-regulated states – states where emissions will inevitably be higher than they are here. When we work with businesses and other stakeholders to implement thoughtful policies that include input from all, we can come together for the long haul to achieve our climate goals.
Revisiting this legislation and reforming it is good policymaking; it’s the right thing to do. Our state and the world have changed a lot since 2019 – we must face the facts that clean energy technology is not where it needs to be to reach these goals. While we continue to invest in research and development, we must not penalize businesses and families for these shortcomings. We must instead listen to their genuine concerns, be open to their feedback, and support them in the face of so many other adversities.
I appreciate the steps Governor Hochul has taken to face the facts and make it right. As the legislature faces a decision on how to handle this, we cannot afford to wait any longer to act. With each passing day, more and more businesses are choosing not to invest in our economy, and costs are getting higher and higher for consumers. By addressing this now, we’re granting peace of mind to families struggling to make ends meet and organizations facing questions about their future here amidst so much uncertainty.
Now is the time for realism, collaboration, and action – for today, and for tomorrow.
Bob Duffy | President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, former lieutenant governor of New York State
