Last week, in response to a lawsuit filed by multiple environmental groups arguing the state is violating its nation-leading climate law, a state Supreme Court judge ruled that the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation has until Feb. 6, 2026, to issue regulations that comply with the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the ruling runs counter to her efforts to keep the state affordable.
In a statement emailed to Capital Tonight, the governor said her administration would be looking at a variety of responses to the lawsuit, including working with the Legislature to modify the CLCPA.
“My job is to ensure we have enough power to keep the lights on, keep rates affordable, and attract major economic development projects,” the statement said. “New York has been, and will continue to be, a leader in climate action, but the judge’s decision fails to factor in the realities of today that include a federal government hostile to clean energy projects, the continuing impacts of post-COVID high inflation, and potential energy shortages expected downstate as soon as next year. We plan to review all our options, including working with the Legislature to modify the CLCPA and appeal, in order to protect New Yorkers from higher costs.”
Rachel Spector, deputy managing attorney at Earthjustice, joined Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter to discuss the suit.
