When we last covered New York Governor Kathy Hochul in March, she was pushing to reform key aspects of her state’s landmark climate law, citing the “crushing costs” it would impose on New York families.
Hochul has now followed through – and the reaction is telling.
“Gov. Kathy Hochul has rolled back one of the nation’s most ambitious climate laws in deep-blue New York – and likely won’t face any political fallout … The governor’s pivot on energy issues reflects a national evolution for Democrats as concerns about rising costs clash with environmental priorities.”
Hochul’s reasoning was straightforward:
“New York has led, and will continue to lead, on clean energy and climate. But reality has been harsh. We cannot meet the current timelines without driving energy costs higher. The facts bear that out, and I cannot let that happen.”
New York will now aim to reduce emissions 60 percent from 1990 levels by 2040. A Hochul spokesperson framed the “commonsense reforms” as a way to “protect New York’s status as a climate leader, while prioritizing affordability for New Yorkers.”
Former New York Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy praised Hochul’s leadership on the issue, and predicted that “a lot of her counterparts around the country, especially blue states, will probably follow suit with what she has done.”
“[Governor Hochul is] not alone in exploring this more expansive, more pragmatic vision for energy policy, but she’s the most outspoken and visionary about it, and certainly a model that I think other Democrats, and Republicans for that matter, could follow.”
The conversation is already underway in California. All eight top candidates for governor suggested they would reconsider the state’s aggressive climate mandates, and the two finalists have emphasized energy affordability in their campaigns.
With Golden State families and businesses paying some of the highest gas prices and electricity rates in the country, any effort to recalibrate climate policies and prioritize affordability would surely be welcomed.
