On May 12, the Climate Action Council, established under NY’s historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), held one of 11 statewide public hearings on its Draft Scoping Plan to address the climate crisis at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre in Peekskill. This in-person hearing in Westchester was not originally included in the public hearing schedule. However, we knew that the voices of our constituents in Westchester and Hudson Valley should be heard during this critical discussion, so we petitioned the DEC and NYSERDA to get this hearing added to the calendar. And it was.
I was proud to co-sponsor and vote for the CLCPA, also called the Climate Act, which passed in 2019. In Westchester, there are communities at great immediate risk from climate change for a variety of reasons, including the threat of storms and flooding. It is essential we rethink our approach to suburban districts, like ours, to address these risks.
I believe that addressing climate change presents real opportunities for meaningful economic growth in all our communities, especially if we increase the percentage of union jobs in this sector that will lead to real careers. We ought to be proactive and progressive in this effort, and not just defensive while we transition to the new economy. Good paying new jobs will be created, and we should be at the front of that effort.
Consolidating the various mandates of the CLCPA into a single vision and including all stakeholders – and seizing the opportunity to create meaningful economic growth – is work the Climate Action Council should pursue. I encourage them to do so.
To submit comments, visit climate.ny.gov. The public comment period closes on June 10.
In conjunction with the Climate Action Council, the Climate Justice Working Group is seeking input on the "Disadvantaged Communities Criteria" and will hold six public hearings. Comments will be accepted through July 7.
New York State Senator Shelley Mayer.
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