Gov. Kathy Hochul has green activists seeing red.
The governor blindsided environmentalists for postponing a controversial “cap and invest” program that critics warned would send gas and home-heating oil prices soaring.
The activists complained that Hochul blinked on a promise from two years ago to tax fossil fuel companies for carbon pollution, then use the revenue to fund green energy initiatives in the Empire State.
“Governor Hochul promised Cap-and-Invest two years ago as part of New York’s climate strategy,” Environmental Advocates of New York said in a statement Wednesday — one day after Hochul announced the delay during her annual State of the State address in Albany.
“The groundwork has been laid,” the statement added.
“Then yesterday, she told us we’d see at least another year of delays, undermining years of collaboration and planning by experts, state agencies, and the public.”
The program is a key component of New York’s plan to help comply with the state Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050.
“Gov. Hochul proposes additional time for a program that’s already been through multiple rounds of outreach and engagement,” the statement said. “New York’s ready to move forward – it’s only Gov. Hochul’s hesitation that’s standing in the way.”
The delay in imposing a sweeping “cap and invest” program comes on the heels of Hochul’s unpopular $9 congestion toll to enter Manhattan.
Last month, Hochul approved a controversial law to force oil, natural-gas and coal companies to fork over a staggering $75 billion to the state for carbon emissions they say are contributing to climate change. Critics feared the extra costs would be passed onto consumers — with one analysis estimating prices at gas pumps could go up 12 cents on the gallon in just a year.
Hochul defended the delay, while calling for the state Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Energy Research and Development Authority to gather more data on emission sources and develop new rules for a cap and invest program.
“This is a very complicated program. We have to get it right,” the governor said Wednesday.
Hochul also blamed her slow-walking the program on a lack of data.
“We also have to measure pollution before you can solve the problem,” the governor said, saying she’s funding numerous green energy intiatives.
Climate change activists were not buying Hochul’s explanation.
“At a time when states with climate commitments should be stepping up to lead, New York is stepping back,” said Kate Courtin, senior manager with the Environmental Defense Fund
“By continuing to kick cap-and-invest down the road, Governor Hochul is delaying the benefits that New Yorkers want — cleaner air, lower energy bills and more resilient communities,” Courtin went on. “Meanwhile, the cost burdens from climate change-fueled disasters, like excessive flooding and severe storms, will continue to mount.”
Advocates for business and consumers cheered the delay.
“The governor had to realize that the additional costs New Yorkers would pay at the pump and heating their homes and at the grocery store simply wouldn’t square with her calls for making New York state more affordable,” said Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United.
But NYS Business Council president Heather Mulligan said firms are “still monitoring yet-to-be-seen costs of cap-and-invest and the CLCPA [Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act].”
“The business community, particularly our small employers across the state and consumers, need relief from policies that increase the costs of doing business and living in New York. We are hopeful the governor and legislature understand that message,” she said.
