Clean energy is affordable energy. So why is New York breaking its climate promises?

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on TIME News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: New York is reportedly preparing to weaken its landmark 2019 climate law, delaying key emissions regulations and softening interim decarbonization targets amid concerns over affordability and rising energy costs

🔭 The context: The proposed budget deal backed by Governor Kathy Hochul would push greenhouse gas regulations from 2024 to 2028, replace the binding 2030 emissions reduction target with a looser 2040 commitment, and adopt revised methane accounting methods that critics say make emissions appear lower without reducing pollution
• New York had committed to cutting emissions 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050 under the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: New York has been viewed as one of the leading U.S. states on climate policy
• Advocates warn that weakening its targets could undermine momentum across the U.S. Climate Alliance and encourage other states to retreat from ambitious climate commitments amid economic and political pressure

⏭️ What’s next: Negotiations are ongoing before the state budget vote
• Environmental groups, labor unions and public-health advocates are pushing lawmakers to preserve enforceable interim targets, accelerate renewable deployment and expand affordability measures like distributed solar and building electrification

💬 One quote: “Weakening the law does not loosen gas’s grip on New Yorkers’ wallets. It tightens it.” — Vanessa Fajans-Turner and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

📈 One stat: Natural gas still supplies roughly 50% of New York’s electricity generation, exposing consumers to volatile global fossil fuel markets

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