Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (D-Syracuse) announced that the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CCPA) was signed into law (Ch. 106 of 2019). Hunter co-sponsored and helped pass the measure during the 2019 legislative session to combat climate change, support disadvantaged communities and invest in green energy.

“We’ve seen the dangers that climate change poses to Syracuse communities, from flooding to extreme winter weather,” Hunter said. “If we don’t act now, future generations will be at even greater risk. This legislation is New York’s commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the health of our planet.”

The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050, requires that 70% of electricity be produced by renewable energy systems by 2030 and requires that 100% of the state’s electricity be produced without emissions by 2040. It also requires the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish and implement statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits and easily replicated energy projects, such as solar arrays, heat pumps and wind turbines, in public low-incomes houses statewide. Additionally, the law requires that employees who work on these projects be paid a prevailing wage.

Further, the measure establishes the New York State Climate Action Council to keep the state on track with its goals. The council will consist of 22 experts, including leaders from relevant state agencies, environmental justice advocates and labor and industry representatives. And to support disadvantaged communities, it also creates a Climate Justice Working Group. The group will investigate and produce a report on the barriers to and opportunities for green energy projects, including weatherization investments, and sets aside 35% of clean energy and energy efficiency funds to invest in these projects.

Climate change is already affecting Syracuse’s supply of fresh drinking water. Warmer weather is contributing to changing lake conditions that favor the growth of toxic algae blooms in Skaneateles Lake, which provides drinking water to the city of Syracuse.^[1]

To preserve the state’s freshwater resources, Hunter sponsored and passed a bill that would raise the water-saving standards of plumbing fixtures to align with the guidelines set forth in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program (A.2286). A staunch environmental advocate in the Assembly, she also co-sponsored and helped pass legislation requiring the DEC to publish a list of “high local environmental impact zones” and consider various factors that contribute to a community’s environmental health (A.1779), as well as a measure to amend the state constitution to include the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment (A.2064). Hunter also helped pass the 2019-20 state budget, which adds $500 million in funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act.

[1] syracuse.com/weather/2019/06/climate-change-is-making-skaneateles-lake-warmer-thats-bad-news.html