As fossil fuels drive up energy costs, New York can’t afford indefinite climate delays

As New Yorkers face rising utility bills and unmanageable prices at the pump driven by volatile fossil fuel markets, now is the moment for New York to hit the accelerator on the clean energy transition promised by the state’s landmark climate law.

Despite this, Governor Hochul has proposed changes to the climate law that would slow progress, putting billions in clean energy investments and health benefits for New Yorkers at risk. These proposals would mean further delay for cap-and-invest, one of the most powerful policies at the state’s disposal to reduce dependence on price-volatile fuels and expand stable, clean energy sources.

Analysis after analysis shows how a strong, well-designed cap-and-invest program — a centerpiece of implementing the law — will cut costs for New York’s working families while cutting climate and air pollution. As discussions on the climate law continue, the questions lawmakers should be asking is how soon New York can stand up a cap-and-invest program to deliver these benefits to their constituents.

At the precise moment New York should be hitting the accelerator on affordable clean energy, the state is on the verge of backsliding

New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) remains one of the strongest climate laws in the country, promising to scale clean, affordable energy and position the state as a leader in cutting climate pollution. The urgency of deploying these solutions couldn’t be more acute. In just the last two months, New Yorkers have spent an additional $900 million on gasoline and diesel.

New York is years behind schedule in implementing this law and, at the precise moment New York should be moving forward, Governor Hochul has proposed changes that would weaken and further delay implementation as part of the state’s budget negotiations. A cap-and-invest program was identified in the state’s Scoping Plan as the most affordable and effective approach to reducing pollution in line with the CLCPA’s targets and raising billions for clean energy and community investments.

The program — which the state previously spent years developing and then shelved — is a central policy tool to slash pollution while cutting costs for the vast majority of New Yorkers. It does this by putting a price on pollution and then investing billions annually to lower costs through utility bill credits, weatherizing homes, expanding heat pumps, EVs, public transit and more.

However, in February, a memo was shared from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), outlining projected cost impacts from a modeled version of a cap-and-invest program that has never been on the table and appears to omit key policy design features that would ensure the program supports affordability for New Yorkers. By presenting misleading cost assumptions — without including the associated analysis — tied to a hypothetical program design, the analysis presents unrealistic impacts.

Analysis after analysis shows that cap-and-invest can deliver billions in savings to New Yorkers

Analysis from Greenline Insights finds that over its first decade, a cap-and-invest program, as previously designed by DEC and NYSERDA, would generate $6.9 billion in cumulative net savings for households earning $200,000 or less — roughly $1,060 per household. Nearly 85% of New Yorkers fall within this income range. The report also finds that the program would result in $47.5 billion in statewide economic growth and more than 300,000 new jobs.

In February, a report was released further exploring the cost-savings and community benefits of this program. It finds that cap-and-invest would turbocharge a range of efficiency and clean energy programs that further drive down costs. For example, a cap-and-invest program would help families upgrade to heat pumps and rooftop solar, saving them up to $3,300 annually.

Both reports build on a strong, established body of research, from both independent sources and from the state itself, which demonstrates that a thoughtfully designed cap-and-invest program would ensure the vast majority of New Yorkers break even or see net savings as a result of the program — a stark contrast from NYSERDA’s most recent memo.

How a cap-and-invest program can lower costs

By making polluters pay for their emissions, a cap-and-invest program would raise significant funds for investment in direct rebates on bills, clean energy upgrades and energy efficiency programs that deliver tangible economic and health benefits to households. Many such programs exist today and could be substantially scaled and expanded with cap-and-invest, helping more New Yorkers realize these benefits.

For instance, programs like Empower+ and the Green Small Buildings Program provide energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades. One Bronx resident enrolled in the program reported that, thanks to free upgrades like weatherization and insulation through Empower+, their heating bills have been cut in half. A cap-and-invest program would enable hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers to experience the same comfort and bill saving benefits provided through programs like Empower+ and others.

Beyond economic gains, climate action would deliver profound public health benefits across the state. Analysis from DEC and NYSERDA finds that by slashing health-harming pollution, a cap-and-invest program would deliver up to $13 billion in annual health benefits by 2035 and prevent over 1,000 deaths and 1,800 emergency room visits from asthma.

Cap-and-invest is a proven policy, familiar to New York. As a result of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, New York ratepayer savings are expected to reach nearly $12 billion, representing a six-to-one return on approximately $2 billion invested to date. These savings benefits would scale with a statewide program. And from Virginia rejoining RGGI, to California extending its program through 2045, to Washington voters defending their program at the ballot box by a 24-point margin, there is no shortage of examples on how well-designed programs are effective and popular.

New Yorkers support cap-and-invest and clean energy

New Yorkers recognize the benefits of investing in clean energy and climate action. Recent polling found that the majority of New Yorkers in competitive districts from Long Island to Buffalo support cap-and-invest. What’s more, the majority of those surveyed also expressed that in upcoming elections they’d be more likely to vote for a state legislator who voted to continue implementing New York’s clean energy laws. With cleaner air, more jobs and lower energy bills on the line, it’s no surprise that New Yorkers support scaling up clean energy.

With a thoughtfully designed cap-and-invest program, New York can cut energy bills and generate billions in economic activity — all while cutting pollution and delivering cleaner air for the Empire state. Lawmakers in New York can cement these benefits for their constituents by ensuring that any amendments to the climate law require cap-and-invest regulations in the next year.

New Yorkers: Tell your state leaders to stand firm on climate!