Climate Groups Take Legal Action Against Hochul Administration for Backtracking on Climate Law – City Limits

Environmental groups in New York are taking legal action against the state, claiming it has failed to meet its climate goals. The lawsuit comes as a response to delays in implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero by 2050.

On Monday, four environmental organizations filed the lawsuit, arguing that the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is ignoring its legal responsibilities. They claim the department’s inaction is worsening air pollution, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The law mandated that the state release comprehensive emissions guidelines by January 1, 2024. However, over a year has passed without any draft rules.

At the heart of the lawsuit is a proposed “cap and invest” program that has yet to materialize. This program is designed to impose costs on polluters and encourage a reduction in emissions. Just last year, Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration suggested that work on the program was moving swiftly, but recent statements have implied a significant delay.

The DEC claims they are still working on the cap-and-invest strategy, but specifics on when it will begin remain unclear. Critics are frustrated, stating that the lack of progress contradicts past promises. Research by the state indicates that implementing this program could prevent thousands of premature deaths and reduce emergency room visits from asthma.

Environmental advocates point out that air quality issues disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color. This lawsuit marks a significant step, as it not only seeks to enforce emissions reduction mandates but also argues that delays violate residents’ constitutional rights to a clean environment.

This isn’t the first challenge faced by the CLCPA. Previous legal actions have focused on individual decisions by agencies rather than the law as a whole. Environmentalists, however, assert that the core of the CLCPA must be enforced for it to be effective.

Recent statistics underscore the urgency of these climate measures. A study highlighted that the risk of respiratory illnesses is considerably higher in areas near fossil fuel facilities, further emphasizing the need for immediate action to reduce emissions. As experts stress, the health of New Yorkers—especially in vulnerable communities—depends on swift implementation of these climate policies.

As New York grapples with its climate commitments, many are watching closely to see how this lawsuit unfolds and what it will mean for future environmental legislation in the state.



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