APA New York Metro Chapter Statement on Proposed Changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
The American Planning Association – New York Metropolitan Chapter (APA-NYM) represents the professional planning community across the New York metropolitan region — from the five boroughs to Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, and the Catskills. Our members serve in city, town, village, and county government; in state and federal agencies; in private practice; in academia; and in mission-driven nonprofits. Our profession impacts all sectors of the economy affected by climate change. The American Planning Association (APA) recognizes climate change as a critical threat requiring urgent, proactive action, positioning urban planners as essential leaders in both mitigation and adaptation. The APA advocates for integrating climate goals into local planning, emphasizing equity, resilient infrastructure, and reducing carbon emissions through sustainable land use. Our members work daily to incorporate climate considerations into all aspects of our work.
At our Executive Committee retreat at Hunter College on May 9, 2026, APA-NYM leadership convened a sustained discussion of the Governor's proposal to roll back key provisions of the groundbreaking Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) as part of the FY27 budget process. This statement reflects the consensus that emerged from that conversation.
Opposition to Proposed Roll backs
The APA-NYM opposes the governor’s proposed changes in this year’s budget that would weaken the CLCPA and hinder progress toward a clean energy transition. These roll backs of the law will increase New Yorkers’ exposure to the volatility, high cost and dangerous pollution associated with fossil fuels. The Governor cites the energy affordability crisis as justification; however, this crisis stems from dependence on fossil fuels and maintaining an aging distribution infrastructure. We urge rejection of these proposals in the interest of the health and well-being of current and future New Yorkers.
The Importance of CLCPA
We strongly supported the comprehensive CLCPA, passed in 2019, and the Scoping Plan, developed through a multi-year process with wide public input and released in July 2022. The plan positions New York as a national leader in climate policy.
The Plan presents comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a net-zero emission clean energy economy by 2050 including:
● Electrification of the building and transportation sectors
● Expansion of renewable energy
● Economy-wide cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It recognizes that low- and moderate-income communities often bear a disproportionate amount of pollution and requires at least 35% of all funding be allocated to these “disadvantaged communities” to ensure all communities equitably benefit in this clean energy transition.
Climate Urgency and Challenges
This clean energy transition grows increasingly essential as climate change accelerates faster than predicted causing extreme weather, loss of glaciers and ice sheets, droughts and a shifting of flora and fauna geographically. New York experiences heat waves, flooding and forest fires with greater frequency causing costly damage and even death. The comprehensive phasing out of fossil fuels in our economy must continue more rapidly than during the last six years.
We recognize that challenges such as the pandemic, supply chain constraints, and inflation impeded progress in the energy transition. The recent Federal cancellation of the Inflation Reduction Act funding and tax credits for clean energy investments as well as permit restrictions of offshore wind projects pose additional obstacles. Despite this, other states continue to advance clean energy goals more aggressively.
Concerns Regarding Proposed Amendments
Instead of progressing, the Governor is using her power in the budget process to compel legislators to dramatically weaken the law, postponing a now non-binding target of 60% reduction to 2040 while retaining the 85% binding reduction by 2050. The proposal includes changing the methane accounting formula from 20 to 100 years that would make it easier to meet goals as methane is more potent in the short term.
Due to continued delays in CLCPA implementation, advocates filed a successful lawsuit demanding compliance in implementation deadlines including regulation promulgation for the Cap and Invest program. The governor appealed the decision and is seeking this budgetary/legislative remedy to nullify the lawsuit which we consider an extreme response. Simple adjustments to regulation timelines with a mandatory interim emissions target to anchor near term action would satisfy legal requirements and reinforce commitment to the CLCPA implementation. [1]
Vision for a Sustainable Future
This is the moment for a greater vision, creativity and buckled down commitment to countering the existential crisis of climate change. Renewable energy sources- solar, wind, hydro and battery storage offer a path to clean and affordable energy. New York Sun met its 6 GW solar target for 2025 early and underbudget. In New York City 93% of buildings covered by LL97 have met their initial energy reduction targets for 2024. 43% have already met their 2030 goal of 40% energy reduction from their 2005 limits.
The New Yorkers for Clean Air Coalition compiled a vision for the Cap and Invest program, now termed the NYS Clean Air Initiative. They project raising $57.4 billion in revenue over the next decade that would be invested to scale clean energy technologies, support environmental justice, create good clean energy jobs, and ensure energy affordability for all New Yorkers as set forth in the Scoping Plan. Their report projects notable benefits from investments in building energy efficiency and electrification, clean energy grid expansion and infrastructure upgrading, electrification of public transportation and development of EV charging networks, and rebates to maintain energy affordability. It emphasizes that these investments will create affordable energy solutions, improve health, and air quality, produce good clean energy jobs, and support equity, especially for disadvantaged communities.
Requests for the Budget Process
If changes to the CLCPA are considered, the APA NYM requests you support inclusion of the following regulations, legislation, and resources:
● Cap and Invest regulations be established by 2027, not delayed until 2030
● Binding emission reduction targets: of 60% by 2040, 85% by 2050 with a goal of net zero
● Annual State investment of $3 Billion annually in the Sustainable Future Fund until Cap and Invest generates revenue
● Adoption of the ASAP Act and Affordable Gas Transition Act
● Increasing DAC investment mandates to 45 to 50%
● A moratorium on repowering fossil fuel power plants in or near disadvantaged communities.
Conclusion
The budget decisions ahead will shape New York’s energy future. Moving forward with the CLCPA is essential for an affordable, just, healthy, reliable, and resilient energy system, while weakening the law risks abandoning New York’s leadership role in clean energy when it is most needed.
The APA-NYM is ready to be a constructive partner in this work to ensure New York’s clean energy future.
[1] Memorandum of Opposition on Proposals to Roll back the CLCPA, WEACT. Earth Justice, NYLPI. Sierra Club. Citizen Action. Push Buffalo, April 30. 2026.
