This Year, Elect Climate Champions for a Change

Assemblywoman Anna Kelles provides a short course on positive climate action in Albany

2024 is just one month old, but my work in Albany is in full swing. I count myself among the many who feel the gravity and responsibility to act in this most crucial time. There is the sense of that old quote, “There are decades when nothing happens, and weeks where decades happen” that resonates poignantly with these times. 

A group of  environmental champions in the Assembly are communicating our strongest possible support for including the Climate, Jobs, and Justice (CJJ) Package in New York’s 2024-25 State Budget.

The CJJ builds on the Assembly’s historic leadership with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) of 2019. It ensures the Legislature’s continued commitment to preparing the State for, and mitigating, climate change and is critical to ensuring the law’s implementation. Doing so now ensures clean air, improved health, a safe and reliable energy infrastructure, lower energy bills, and protection from the worst impacts of the climate crisis. The package can also demonstrate concrete wins for our communities within just a year of enactment. It will add more to the State’s coffers than it costs, generating an estimated surplus of up to $2 billion. 

A bill I introduced, the Just Energy Transition Act, shows how we can replace and redevelop the most-polluting fossil fueled facilities in the state as they phase out into renewable energy hubs. It will create jobs and improve air quality in environmental justice communities. And it is one of the following bills we are asking to include tin the State Budget:

‘Climate, Jobs & Justice’ Legislative Package

Generate more than $3 billion in annual revenue without burdening households:

• The Climate Change Superfund Act (S2129-A/A3351-A/S2129-A, Krueger/Dinowitz/Krueger) is a cost recovery program that focuses on companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of greenhouse gasses. It would require them to bear a share of the costs of infrastructure investments to adapt to climate change and establishes a climate change adaptation fund.
• The NY HEAT Act (S2016-A/A4592-A/S2016-A, Krueger/Fahy/Krueger) 

The NY HEAT Act’s core provisions are partly included in the Governor’s 2025 Budget as the RAPID Act, which is a great first step. We would like to see the full HEAT Act included in the budget to keep the state on track to meet our CLCPA 2030 established deadline. This legislation would align natural gas utility regulation and planning with CLCPA by removing the subsidies for gas system expansion. Instead, it requires a statewide gas service transition plan that decreases our reliance on gas. This would both significantly reduce state emissions and lower household energy bills. The Act includes a proposed energy bill cap for working families at a maximum 6 percent of household income.

• The Just Energy Transition Act (S2935-C/A4866-C/S2935-C, Parker/Kelles/Parker) would mandate a blueprint for a planned transition of New York state’s oldest and most-polluting fossil fueled generation facilities to renewable energy infrastructure. It would include a series of public hearings, a period to integrate feedback from the public and legislature, and implementation of the transition plan. This act will facilitate the phase-out, replacement and redevelopment of our energy generation infrastructure by 2030.

‘Climate, Jobs and Justice’ Projects Budget

• A $1 billion community investment plan to fund vital climate adaptation and disaster prevention for the State’s most vulnerable populations. It would strengthen climate resiliency by identifying community-approved, shovel-ready projects, bringing the value of climate change adaptation to New Yorkers here and now. 

Taken together, the CJJ Projects Budget and Legislative Package provide both a budget surplus and direct investment in the protection and resiliency of our most vulnerable communities.

New Yorkers across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support our state’s climate law. By funding and implementing the CLCPA in 2024, we would kickstart a pollution-free, resilient climate future. It will be built by workers with good union jobs, ensuring a healthy, livable state for future generations.

I invite you to join me, State Senator Lea Webb, Democratic candidates like Josh Riley who is running for Congress in our district, and fellow Democrats in making the most of this historic moment. Let’s support and elect candidates in 2024 who respond to, and legislate for, the needs of their constituents.

Assemblymember Anna Kelles represents the 125th Assembly district, which includes Tompkins County and part of Cortland County. She is a member of the Agriculture, Correction, Environmental Conservation, Health, Housing, and Mental Health committees, respectively. Dr. Kelles previously served on the Tompkins County Legislature.