SB 6599, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

Limit statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40% of 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% by 2050, and asking for a plan to achieve net-zero emissions. The Act also establishes a clean energy standard of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% zero emission electricity by 2040. Sets procurement targets for 6 GW distributed solar energy by 2025, 9 GW offshore wind by 2035, 3 GW of energy storage by 2030, and a statewide energy efficiency goal of 185 trillion Btu reduction from the 2025 forecast. Establishes climate action council, environmental justice advisory group, and just transition working group

Achieving New York State's goals under the Climate Act will require unprecedented support for the environment, including the need to plant and maintain new forests. To make this a reality, Governor Hochul is announcing a goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033. This goal will invigorate our state’s tree planting efforts, send an unmistakable market signal to private nurseries, advance efforts to meet the Climate Act’s net-zero goal, and grow the states vital forest products industry.

Governor Hochul will also prioritize tree planting in urban areas to mitigate potential extreme heat, as cities warm faster than rural areas. These efforts will also engage youth across the state through education and planting programs to foster a conservation ethic, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and create deeper connections about the importance of trees for the environment, climate, and public health.

This pledge also contributes to New York's participation in the regional initiative to plant 250 million trees by 2033 launched by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers.

New York 25 Million Trees By 2033

In 2019, New York passed the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which codified some of the most aggressive energy and climate goals in the country, including 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025 and 3,000 MW by 2030.

Storage will increase the resilience and efficiency of New York’s grid, which will be powered by 70% renewable energy by 2030, and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Additionally, energy storage can stabilize supply during peak electric usage and help keep critical systems online during an outage.

All of this while creating an industry that could employ at least 30,000 New Yorkers by 2030.

New York’s Energy Storage Goal

Establishes a statewide energy efficiency goal of 185 trillion Btu reduction from the 2025 forecast

Statewide energy efficiency goal

The Climate Action Council announced the appointment of members to the Just Transition Working Group and six Advisory Panels that will advise the Council, a 22-member committee that will prepare a Scoping Plan to achieve the State’s bold clean energy and climate agenda as outlined in the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The working group will also strategically target efforts to connect New Yorkers living in Environmental Justice communities with job opportunities created as part of Governor Cuomo’s ambitious clean energy goals to generate 50 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Environmental Justice and Just Transition Working Group with Advisory Panel

The New York State Climate Action Council is a 22-member appointed body that has prepared a Scoping Plan to serve as the roadmap to achieve the State’s bold clean energy and climate goals.

New York State Climate Action Council

Disadvantaged Communities Definition

CLPA has strong EJ component and commitment for agencies to invest at least 35 percent of their clean energy program resources towards disadvantaged/EJ communities, with a goal of 40 percent

Investment of Clean Energy Program Funds

The Climate Justice Working Group is comprised of representatives from Environmental Justice communities statewide, including three members from New York City communities, three members from rural communities, and three members from urban communities in upstate New York, as well as representatives from the State Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Labor, and NYSERDA.

The Climate Justice Working Group has an important advisory role in the Climate Action Council process, providing strategic advice for incorporating the needs of disadvantaged communities in the Scoping Plan. The Working Group will consult with the Environmental Justice Advisory Group and ensure that while we move the state toward a carbon neutral economy, all New Yorkers will reap the economic and environmental benefits of our nation-leading transition.

Climate Justice Working Group

New York's Offshore Wind Procurement Goal

In 2019, New York passed the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which codified some of the most aggressive energy and climate goals in the country, incl. 6,000 MW of Solar by 2025

2025 Distributed Solar Goal

New York's Zero-Emission Electricity Goal

Goal of the state of New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all anthropogenic sources 100% over 1990 levels by the year 2050.
Includes 2030 and 2050 gross goals, which have been adopted further into regulation.

Environmental Justice and Just Transition Working Group with Advisory Panel

Action History

Related Policies

Related Links