Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
Protesters were arrested at the New York State Capitol on Tuesday (April 21) after blocking the main entrance to Governor Kathy Hochul's office. The demonstration was organized by Climate Defiance and New York Communities for Change in opposition to proposed changes to New York's climate laws. Eighteen protesters were arrested for obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor.
The protest followed a report by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, indicating potential increases in energy costs as the state works towards its climate goals. Governor Hochul has suggested changes to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. Her office argues that following the CLCPA as written could raise heating bills significantly and threaten grid reliability.
Protesters argue that weakening the state's climate laws would harm the environment further. Michael Greenberg, founder of Climate Defiance, criticized the governor for adopting a fossil fuel agenda, saying, "We are in a climate emergency, and we don’t have time to wait."
Meanwhile, State Senate Democrats advanced a package of environmental bills, including the ASAP Act, which mandates utility grid upgrades and sets a target of 20 gigawatts of distributed solar power by 2035. The governor's proposed changes have sparked debate, with some lawmakers, like Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, questioning the necessity of altering the law.
Governor Hochul has stated that her amendments are necessary to balance sustainability goals with economic realities, citing inflation and supply chain disruptions as challenges. The state budget, which includes these proposed changes, is due by April 1.