Tuesday, New York Governor Hochul released her SFY2022-23 executive budget proposal, which included several notable environmental initiatives. Some of these items are:

• $4 billion Environmental Bond Act
• $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund
• $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act
• $17 million for electrification of New York State’s light-duty vehicle fleet
• Increased funding for the Climate and Resilient Farming Grant Program
• A ban on gas for new construction by 2027
• Changes to energy code to improve energy efficiency in buildings and appliances
• Improved protections for wetlands
• A mandate to fully electrify the school bus fleet by 2035, with a ban on new fossil fuel-powered bus purchases by 2027 
• Changes to the Public Service Law which loosens the 100-foot rule for gas

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earthjustice:

“The Governor’s proposed budget offers an important starting point on efforts to address the climate crisis and protect public health; however, the legislature should view this as the floor — not the ceiling. For New York to meet its climate goals, the state budget should include at least $15 billion in climate funding, halt the use of fossil fuels in new construction by 2024 rather than 2027, dedicate more funding towards electrification of affordable housing and electrifying trucks and buses throughout the state — all while explicitly prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged communities. Additionally, with the changing climate impacting New York’s water and air, funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Environmental Protection Fund should be scaled up to meet our evolving needs.

It will be crucial for the legislature to improve and build upon what the Governor has offered. Earthjustice looks forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure the final SFY2022-23 budget rises to the challenge New Yorkers face from the climate crisis and other environmental harms.”