As state budget negotiations proceed, NYLCV has launched our Budget Tracker — a one-stop reference on where things stand with our top environmental and clean energy priorities across the Executive, Senate, and Assembly budget proposals.
Both the Senate and Assembly have stepped up in key areas — most notably by including $1 billion for the
Sustainable Future Fund. This investment would help cut pollution, lower energy costs, and create jobs, with funding for thermal energy networks, clean transportation, building decarbonization, and support for low- and moderate-income households. It is critical that this funding is included in the Final Adopted Budget.
[Click here to encourage your state representatives to keep up the fight during budget negotiations!]
Both the Executive Budget and One-House Budget proposals include strong commitments to core environmental programs, with increased funding proposed for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the EPF, with the latter at $500 million from the Senate and Assembly and $425 million from the Governor. These are necessary investments that protect public health, safeguard drinking water, and preserve New York’s natural resources.
We’re also seeing progress on affordability-focused clean energy policies. The Senate included the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, while the Assembly advanced a sales tax exemption for utility-scale battery storage two measures that would help bring down costs and speed up the transition to clean energy. We need all parties to find common ground and include these measures in the Final Adopted Budget.
But while this progress is encouraging, there’s also cause for concern.
Governor Hochul has proposed changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) that risk undermining the integrity of New York’s landmark climate law. At a time when New Yorkers are already facing rising energy costs and the federal government is pulling back on clean energy investments, we cannot afford to weaken the policies that are designed to deliver both emissions reductions and affordability.
The Legislature must hold the line.
As negotiations continue, the Governor and lawmakers should build on the strong commitments in their budget proposals — while keeping the CLCPA fully intact. New Yorkers deserve a final budget that lowers costs, protects public health, and keeps the state on track to meet its climate goals.
We’ll be updating our Budget Tracker as the process unfolds.