Hochul Announces Two New Projects To Combat Climate Change During NY Climate Week

ALBANY (WENY) – New York Climate Week 2021 officially kicked off Monday, and Gov. Kathy Hochul already announced new measures to help the environment.

At the Climate Week opening ceremony in New York City on Monday, the governor announced two major green energy infrastructure projects to power NYC with wind, solar, and hydropower projects from upstate New York and Canada.

“New York’s communities are repeatedly facing serious consequences as a result of the devastation caused by the global climate crisis, and the stakes have never been higher as we deal with the economic and environmental destruction these extreme weather events leave behind,” Gov. Hochul said. “These transformative projects are a win-win—delivering thousands of new good-paying jobs throughout the state and attracting billions of dollars in private investment. They also help us turn the page on New York City’s long-standing dependence on fossil fuels and will ensure millions of New Yorkers, especially those living in our most vulnerable communities, can have the promise of cleaner air and a healthier future.”

The projects will focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and improve air quality and public health. They will also accelerate progress to exceed New York’s goal to obtain 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 on the path to a zero-emission grid, as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The governor’s website said these changes will:

• “Produce approximately 18 million megawatt-hours of upstate and Canadian renewable energy per year, enough to power more than 2.5 million homes;
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 77 million metric tons over the next 15 years, the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road; and
• Provide $2.9 billion in public health benefits over 15 years that will result from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants—including fewer episodes of illness and premature death, fewer days of school or work missed, less disruption of business, and lower health care costs.”

If approved, the two projects will create 10,000 family-sustaining jobs statewide and bring $8.2 billion in economic development investments.