Earthjustice Statement: New York Governor Hochul Delivers 2025 State of the State

Today, New York Governor Hochul delivered her 2025 State of the State address with an overall focus on affordability. While she mentioned the need for lower energy bills, action on greenhouse gas emissions and investments in mass transit, she said very little about concrete proactive measures to meet these needs. 

The following statement is attributed to Liz Moran, Earthjustice Policy Advocate:  

“The Governor’s State of the State section on climate begins: ‘With 2024 standing as the hottest year in recorded history. Governor Hochul knows addressing climate change is both a moral imperative and an enormous economic opportunity.’ We agree with the Governor – it’s a shame for all New Yorkers that the Governor doesn’t stand by that statement with an achievable and affordable climate platform to match. Everyday New Yorkers are counting on our state’s leadership to cut their ever-increasing energy bills, move away from dirty and expensive fossil fuels, and protect their communities and health. The Governor has the opportunity to deliver on her own promises in her upcoming budget proposal, but if she doesn’t, all eyes go to the legislature.” 

Earthjustice offers thoughts on the following items mentioned or alluded to in the Governor’s State of the State: 

• Cap and Invest – Earthjustice strongly opposes any further delay in implementing New York’s landmark climate law. A well-designed cap and invest program has the potential to save New Yorkers money while improving communities and reducing climate pollution. Cap and Invest is the best way to achieve our climate mandates consistent with the law’s requirements. Delay only benefits the same corporate polluters making daily life harder and more expensive for everyone else.  
• NY HEAT Act – Governor Hochul acknowledged the importance of energy affordability and moving away from fossil fuels. This aligns with her previous support for important provisions of the NY HEAT Act. The time is now for the Assembly to support this policy and protect New Yorkers from rising energy bills.  
• Water Infrastructure Funding – It is crucial for New York to ensure adequate infrastructure funding levels to address unregulated toxic contaminants, aging drinking and wastewater infrastructure. We urge the Governor and Legislature to include at least $600 million for New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act in this year’s budget.  
• Private Well Testing – We look forward to seeing details regarding the Governor’s proposal to offer financial assistance for homeowners seeking to replace or treat contaminated wells.  
• PFAS in Firefighting Gear – We are pleased that Governor Hochul is proposing protections from PFAS for New York’s fire fighters.  These professionals put their lives on the line every day suppressing fires, and they also endure elevated cancer rates because carcinogenic chemicals are released as synthetic materials in buildings, like plastics, burn. They should not also be exposed to PFAS from their turnout gear.  
• Improving Public Transit – Improving public transit is critical to reduce climate pollution and to make commutes easier. We applaud the Governor for committing to a major investment in Hudson Valley rail service, to explore new connective service, and generally committing to strengthen regional transit with new funding across the state. We also support efforts to leverage first-in-the-nation congestion pricing revenue to electrify MTA’s bus fleet and otherwise bolster MTA infrastructure. We look forward to working with her office and the legislature to develop a robust 2025-29 capital plan and ensuring that investments in transportation are consistent with the vision laid out in the state’s climate scoping plan.