BCW Supports Call for Cost Analysis of Impact of Climate Law

The Business Council of Westchester has joined with nearly 70 businesses and labor organizations statewide who support the New York State Climate Action Council (CAC) in its call for an independent consultant to conduct a cost analysis of the potential impacts on businesses of compliance with the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

Signed into law by Governor Cuomo in 2019, the CLCPA is the among the most ambitious climate laws in the world and requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. The law also created the CAC which is charged with developing a scoping plan of recommendations to meet these targets toward carbon neutrality.

“As members of the CAC, we, along with the other nearly 70 signatories on this letter, believe part of the Council’s critical work is to identify the most cost-effective means for emissions reductions, as required by the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” stated the January 20 letter to Doreen Harris, Acting President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Basil Seggos, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

In the letter the CAC requests that an independent consultant “conduct a detailed analysis to estimate the annual and total cost impact on electric and natural gas bills for all customer sectors across the state, including residential, small and large business customers, associated with implementation of the CLCPA’s requirements.”

In conclusion, the letter states, “We fully support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the CLCPA targets while maintaining reliable, resilient, affordable, and efficient energy and related infrastructure in New York State. A well-reasoned quantitative analysis of the costs associated with various emissions reduction strategies will be essential in enabling the state’s transition to a decarbonized energy future.”