Statement by State Senator Brad Hoylman on Governor Cuomo’s Climate Commitment

Hoylman: The Governor’s bold commitment to curbing climate change stands in stark contrast to Senate Republican leaders who have done nothing but stick their heads in the sand

NEW YORK – Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Commission, released the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s announcement today of new actions to curb climate change.

“As we saw during the worst of Hurricane Sandy, climate change poses a direct and existential threat to New York. Governor Cuomo’s decision today to sign the Under 2 Memorandum of Understanding pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York is a forward-thinking move to prevent worsening climate change and establishes the Empire State as a national leader on the defining issue of our time.

“The Governor’s bold commitment to leverage New York’s resources to expand investment in renewable energy and create a national carbon market is truly laudable, and stands in stark contrast to Senate Republican leaders who have done nothing but stick their heads in the sand.

“I look forward to working with the his administration and the legislature to adopt a comprehensive climate action plan that provides a roadmap to meet the Governor’s ambitious goals. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but Governor Cuomo’s announcement today moves us much closer to a more sustainable future.”