Senate Democratic Majority Passes Historic Climate Leadership And Community Protection Act (CCPA)

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Majority today passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CCPA) to address and mitigate the effects of climate change by drastically cutting greenhouse gases, diverting the state’s energy reliance to renewable sources, and creating green jobs to promote environmental justice across New York State. This bill is the most comprehensive and aggressive climate change legislation in the nation.

"Today marks a historic day for New York State in the fight against climate change," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. "As our leaders in Washington fail to take action, New York needs to lead in this time of great crises for our planet. I commend Senator Todd Kaminsky for championing this bill and protecting New York's future generations."

Bill Sponsor and Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, Senator Todd Kaminsky, said, “While Washington is asleep at the wheel, New York is leading the way. The CLPA will virtually eliminate New York’s greenhouse gasses, foster renewable energy production, create green jobs, invest in lower-income communities, and protect our planet. New Yorkers and the world cannot wait any longer. This is the moment for bold, global change--and I’m proud to say New York is leading the nation.”

The Senate Majority held a series of hearings on the Climate Leadership and Community Protect Act (CCPA), led by Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, Senator Todd Kaminsky, in Albany, New Paltz, Syracuse, New York City, and Long Island. These hearings allowed concerned citizens, stakeholders, and environmental experts to provide testimony on how climate change has impacted their communities and recommendations for New York State moving forward.

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, S.6599, will:

• Minimize the adverse impacts of climate change by reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions.
• Improve the state’s resiliency to the certain effects and risks of climate change.
• Ensure that the ongoing transition of the state's energy sector will create good jobs and protect workers and communities during the transition process.
• Prioritize the safety and health of disadvantaged communities, control the potential regressive impacts of future climate change mitigation, and adopt policies for these communities.
• Review and prioritize the allocation of public investments.

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "New York's climate bill is the strongest and most ambitious in the nation thanks to the bold leadership of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Kaminsky, and the entire State Senate.  We are proud that after months of advocacy, the State Senate has passed a bill that will result in deep economy-wide emission reduction goals and requires 100% clean power by 2040 combined with investments in communities that have historically born a disproportionate burden of the effects of air pollution and climate change.  As the White House continues to put fossil fuels first, this legislation is a model for other states to follow.”

Peter Iwanowicz, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York, said, “Today’s action by the State Senate is a critical step forward in addressing global climate change. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act will not only move one of the world’s largest economies off of fossil fuels, it begins the conversation on how to make this transition equitably and with justice.  We commend Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Todd Kaminsky for their leadership and the entire Majority Conference for taking this historic step toward a clean energy future.”

Katherine Nadeau, Catskill Mountainkeeper's Deputy Director, said, “Addressing the climate crisis is the fight of our lives, and New York is committing to that fight head-on by moving our state off of fossil fuels and into a renewable energy future. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is a monumental bill that puts New York on the path to drastically cut the state's carbon emissions and asthma-inducing air pollution, and to invest in climate solutions. Catskill Mountainkeeper applauds the Senate's work to pass this game-changing law.”