Over 1,600 New Yorkers Submit Comments, Call on PSC to Protect Clean Energy Programs

NEW YORK - The New York Public Service Commission is considering backtracking on programs designed to meet the clean energy goals laid out in the state's landmark climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). As part of a public comment period that closes May 1, Sierra Club members and supporters have submitted over 1,600 comments urging the PSC to protect the CLCPA and the state's existing Clean Energy Standard.

In January, a group of New York business associations called the Coalition for Safe and Reliable Energy submitted a petition to the PSC requesting hearings to delay or suspend the CLCPA's renewable energy and zero-emission mandates. The PSC opened a public comment period in January to elicit feedback on the proposal from New Yorkers.

In addition to encouraging members and supporters to submit personal comments, Sierra Club and partners also submitted technical comments calling on the PSC to reject the Coalition's petition. ( Read the technical comments, listed under Item Number 1536, here .) Following the comment period, the PSC is expected to make a decision on whether to hold the hearing or not.

"Any retreat from the CLCPA's renewable energy targets would deepen New York's reliance on expensive and polluting fossil fuels, meaning higher energy bills and poorer air quality for New Yorkers," said Josh Berman, Sierra Club Senior Attorney working in New York . "Investing instead in renewable energy would mean long-term cost-savings, grid reliability, and cleaner air."

Excerpts from comments by Sierra Club members and supporters across New York are listed below, with permission from the authors:

"Every day we delay makes it more difficult, even critical, to the health of the people on our planet and to the planet itself!" - Diann from New Windsor, NY.

"We cannot keep delaying our renewable energy solutions. If so, we will delay ourselves into extinction. Let's be leaders, not excuse-makers." - Victoria from Brooklyn, NY.

"Climate change is the most important issue facing the world today. It is dangerous to our health, to our economy, and to our future. We must continue to act to protect future generations from this slow moving catastrophe!"- Kenneth from Geneseo, NY.

"I am not only concerned about affordability now but on the ability of my family-children, nieces, nephews and grands-to be able to afford to stay in NY unless we reduce our reliance on gas and oil as energy sources." - Amy from Purchase, NY.

"The facts are in. Solar+batteries is the lowest cost way to generate electricity - and the fastest way to construct more capacity. Ignore the petroleum lobbyists. Serve the people of New York by expanding solar generating capacity quickly." - Michael from Pittsford, NY.

"I worked to get CLCPA passed in 2019, don't abandon it. We need to rapidly move away from dirty natural gas." - John from Rochester, NY.

"We must protect our climate goals if we're going to survive the climate breakdown that is coming. Renewables are the future--they cost less, create jobs, reduce pollution, and the world economy is already shifting to renewables." - Anne from Delhi, NY.

"I am a nurse and I know that oil and gas pollution are one of the biggest drivers of dangerous health harming pollution and climate change. Don't back down from supporting the CLCPA!" - Deborah from Brooklyn, NY.

"As the grandmother of a little boy struggling with asthma here in Albany, I am a strong supporter of the CLCPA and I'm appalled by these attempts to gut our Climate Law. Given what is happening in the world right now, it's more clear than ever that we must decarbonize our grid." - Cynthia from Albany, NY.

"Moving forward with a well considered climate protection plan is a difficult thing but it was accomplished with the CLCPA. Please do not roll back the good that has been done. Our future depends on your holding to the plan implemented." - Jennifer from Fayetteville, NY

"We cannot go back now! As a teacher of young children and parent to young adults we have to be making HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE decisions for their future and the future of the planet. Invest in renewable energy NOW!!!" - Jessie from Rochester, NY .

"As long-time residents and voters in New York State we are asking that the NY Public Service Commission continue to protect New Yorkers and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Clear-thinking New York residents want clean, renewable energy." - Jim and Mary from Bloomingdale, NY.