NY RENEWS Supports S.2935B (Parker) MEMORANDUM OF SUPPORT FOR THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION ACT (S.2935B)

We are writing to ask you to support the Just Energy Transition Act (S.2935B)

NY Renews is a coalition of over 340 groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law, New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). NY Renews is made up of environmental justice, labor, advocacy, Environmental, faith, businesses, and student organizations from all over the state, all dedicated to a just transition away from fossil fuels.

The Just Energy Transition Act (S.2935B) provides a plan to guide the replacement and redevelopment of New York State’s fossil fuel facilities and sites by 2030. It lays out clear, mandatory direction for moving forward with the transition off of fossil fuels per the Climate Act. This bill requires the state to study and operationalize step by step how to get large and inefficient polluting power plants on a short timeline (1 year upon passage). Additionally, the bill language of S.2935B closes the door for false solutions to become a part of the competitive options to transition fossil fuel power plants. NY Renews strongly encourages the Assembly to adopt this amendment to ensure that all aspects of the phase-out, replacement, and redevelopment of New York state’s oldest and most polluting fossil-fueled generation facilities and their sites are consistent and limited to the options described in the Scoping Plan issued by the Climate Action Council under section 75-0103 of the environmental conservation law and consistent with Section 66-p of the public service law. Transitioning these facilities to renewable energy as soon as possible will hold climate and economic benefits and public health benefits, especially for environmental justice (EJ) and disadvantaged communities (DAC). Incorporating this bill will lay out a responsible process to achieve the commitments of the CLCPA by prioritizing a just transition that honors frontline communities.

The State has already committed to replacing and redeveloping its fossil fuel facilities. New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act further mandates an emissions-free electricity system by 2040. This bill would enable a responsible process to achieve this commitment by prioritizing a just transition that honors the priorities of frontline communities. Enabling transparent public proceedings and clear implementation guidelines ensures that we can operationalize a much-needed transition while accounting for energy democracy and system reliability

We urge you to support the Just Energy Transition Act (S.2935B to transition polluting power plants to renewable energy as soon as possible.

Contact: info@nyrenews.org

Full list of coalition members at www.nyrenews.org

Revised February 2023