On Friday, March 20, Governor Kathy Hochul formally announced her proposed changes to New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), arguing that maintaining the state’s leadership on clean energy must be balanced with affordability for residents and businesses.
In a new op-ed, Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to the CLCPA and highlighted billions in state investments that have expanded renewable energy, including offshore wind, large-scale solar projects, and transmission initiatives like the Champlain Hudson Power Express. She pointed to early progress, including meeting solar deployment goals ahead of schedule and advancing major clean energy infrastructure.
At the same time, the Governor said shifting economic and political realities require a more flexible approach to the state’s landmark climate law. Inflation, supply chain challenges, and rising energy demands have increased costs, while federal policy changes under President Donald Trump, including the rollback of clean energy incentives, have made implementation more difficult.
Governor Hochul is proposing to delay the deadline for issuing regulations to achieve emissions targets from 2024 to 2030. While the requirement to cut emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 would technically remain in place, delaying the regulatory framework would likely make that near-term target difficult, if not impossible, to enforce in practice.
In addition, the Governor proposes creating a new interim benchmark for 2040, which would serve as a checkpoint to ensure progress toward longer-term goals. The proposal would tie future regulations to both that 2040 benchmark and the law’s existing 2050 mandate, rather than solely relying on the 2030 target. The overarching requirement to achieve an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, along with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions, would remain unchanged.
The Governor is also seeking to revise how emissions are calculated. By aligning New York’s accounting methods with those used in other states and internationally, the state would show greater progress toward its targets. This shift would largely come from excluding certain upstream emissions tied to imported fuels and adopting a longer measurement timeline for pollutants like methane.
Environmental advocates and some lawmakers have pushed back against the idea of changes to the law, warning that weakening timelines and accounting standards could slow progress and increase climate risks. Hochul, however, maintains that the adjustments preserve the law’s intent while providing a more realistic path forward amid economic pressures and ongoing legal challenges.