Gov. Andrew
Cuomo’s rhetoric as a progressive reformer has not matched the reality
of his environmental record during the past several years. He has been
slow with policies to protect communities against climate change and
strengthen our environment.
Remember
how antifrackers had to chase Cuomo around for years before he banned
the fracking of natural gas? We’re seeing the same lack of leadership
from him in budget negotiations, but with the Trump administration
rolling back major environmental protections, the stakes are much
higher.
Cuomo’s
proposed budget largely maintains the status quo and misses what this
moment in history demands of the state. It’s a timid document lacking
robust and aggressive investments to resist Trump’s assault on our
environment and to put New York on a sustainable path.
Cuomo must
do more to raise standards to safeguard our land, air and water. Until
he does, it’s up to state legislators to amend the budget so New York
can become a progressive beacon on climate policy. Although rarely given
credit, the Legislature stepped up in 2015 with funding for clean water
and in 2016 for electric-vehicle rebates.
Cuomo has been particularly weak on the following climate issues this year.
• The Climate and Community Protection Act.
The governor excluded this far-reaching and bold legislation from his
executive budget. It would eliminate human-caused climate pollution from
all sectors by 2050 and mandate a complete shift to renewable energy
while directing resources to disadvantaged communities and workers on
the front lines of climate change.
• Carbon pricing.
Making carbon polluters pay for the environmental harm they cause is an
idea with growing support across the political spectrum and within the
business community. Cuomo’s budget omits carbon pricing that could raise
billions of dollars a year from the largest corporate polluters and
reinvest it in clean energy.
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Source: CRAIN'S New York Business
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