Your Guide to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

Business owners in New York City and surrounding areas might have heard of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and wondered if it will affect their operations. This new law, which aims to reduce energy consumption, is the first step in a long march towards addressing climate change.  By increasing access to reliable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gases and local pollution, the CLCPA provided every New Yorker the opportunity to help keep our communities healthy. Read on to learn more about how this will affect your business’s renewable energy policy.

SEE ALSO: Your Business’s Guide to the Paris Climate Agreement

Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) was enacted in 2019 and is a comprehensive response to climate change that aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and by 85% by 2050 (these numbers are measured against 1990 levels). This act also requires that 100% of the electricity used in the state of New York come from clean energy sources by 2040. 

These are more than just goals—the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York Public Service Commission aim to establish regulations in compliance with these goals. As a result, you can expect changes to how New York business owners heat their buildings, power their business operations, develop land, and transport goods across the state.

These changes also will positively affect disadvantaged communities that have suffered the most from climate change, as the legislation requires that at least 35% of the benefits go to them. In addition, the Climate Action Council will establish a Just Transition Working Group and a separate Climate Justice Working Group to ensure that these benefits go toward disadvantaged communities.

Leading Climate Legislation Goals

The climate targets that New York has set in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act are some of the most progressive in the nation. The legislation makes the following goals:

• The state will achieve 22 million tons of carbon reduction through energy efficiency and electrification.
• By 2025, the state will produce 6,000 megawatts of solar power.
• By 2030, the state will have 3,000 megawatts of energy storage and have transitioned to 70% renewable energy.
• By 2035, the state will produce 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy.
• By 2040, the state will have transitioned to 100% zero-emission electricity.
• By 2050, it will have reduced GHG emissions by 85%.

The CLCPA also mandates the formation of a Climate Action Council that will analyze the options for emissions reductions and creating a "scoping plan" that will be the basis of NYSDEC's regulations. It will be guided by several advisory panels that will focus on land use, transportation, energy-intensive/trade-exposed industries, local government, energy efficiency and housing, power generation, and agriculture. These panels have been established and will have the final scoping plan by 2022 and the regulations by January 1, 2024.

How Will This Affect My Business?

The CLCPA will monumentally improve the way that New York State functions in the coming years. Businesses across all industries must pay attention to these developments to analyze how these regulations will affect their operations. This means every community and region will have access to clean energy solutions and economic opportunities that a transition to sustainable solutions provides. 

Thousands of green jobs will be created, from technicians to building trades and more. Solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources will bring affordable and reliable electricity to communities across New York. For businesses, energy costs with new building heating and cooling technologies will be lowered, and transportation will transfer to light, medium, and heavy-duty electric vehicles as well as hydrogen and renewable fuels. Transportation costs will further be reduced by improving growth, transit, and transportation demand management, lowering vehicle miles and overall operation costs.

Gotham 360 is here to help you create the perfect sustainable energy strategy for your business as a full-service energy management consulting firm that crafts personalized energy solutions for all of our clients. Call (917) 338-1023 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us. We would love to work with you!