Aaaaaand Gov. Hochul Announces Elimination Of 2030 GHG Target From State's Climate Law

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As part of ongoing budget negotiations, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to delay emissions-reduction targets established in the state’s climate law. Over the past year, Hochul has hinted that she doesn’t think the state can hit the targets established in the 2019 Climate Act: a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030, and an 85 percent reduction by 2050.

If Hochul gets her way, the timeline will change. During a press conference this month, Hochul said the state will revise its emissions targets through the state budget process, aiming for a 60 percent reduction by 2040 while keeping the 2050 target intact. She said the economic policy needed to achieve those targets would not be announced until 2028.

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Earlier this month, Hochul prematurely announced an agreement with the state legislature; negotiations are ongoing. According to the state’s latest report, statewide emissions in 2023 were around 15 percent below 1990 levels—far from the 2030 goal. In 2022, the state’s Climate Action Council, a group of scientists, utility representatives, policymakers and state agency leaders, released the Climate Scoping Plan. It set out a roadmap to meet the state’s climate targets.

The largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York are buildings, electricity generation and transportation, according to state data. Under Hochul’s leadership, multiple policies designed to reduce emissions in those sectors have been delayed, and industry groups are pushing for more. The state has delayed action on building electrification, which happens when a building transitions from gas heating and cooking to electric, to reduce emissions. The All-Electric Buildings Law, which was scheduled to take effect this year, would have imposed a gas ban on many new buildings. Buildings are responsible for almost 30 percent of the state’s emissions, according to state data from 2023.

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https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23052026/new-york-governor-announces-climate-law-revisions/