SOURCE:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2024/01/30/senate-new-york-00138619
By BILL MAHONEY - January 30, 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES DESCEND: Environmental groups held a forum on cleaning up fuels in the transportation sector, pushed back on Hochul’s proposed cut for water infrastructure funding and advocated for lawmakers to include a Superfund-style program targeting fossil fuel companies.
The New York League of Conservation Voters organized the event on the “clean fuel standard” for the transportation sector, which Hochul wants to keep studying. Proponents of the policy, however, said it’s time to act and noted that every other state to implement a cap-and-trade program on emissions has also implemented a low carbon fuel standard.
The program faces opposition from environmental justice groups who want to keep the focus on electrification of transportation.
New York City is utilizing renewable diesel and biodiesel in its fleet and support the program because it would bring down the costs of that policy. “We’re the only group on the East Coast that has renewable diesel. We have this domestic, sustainable switch out fuel that works perfectly… but we have to pay a premium,” said Keith Kerman, New York City chief fleet officer.
Later in the day, a coalition, including Citizens Campaign for the Environment and water providers, pushed for $600 million in clean water infrastructure funding with Senate Environmental Conservation chair Pete Harckham.
Hochul has proposed cutting the program down to $250 million annually for two years, threatening a popular program.
“This is a cut that will not stand,” Harckham said.
Hochul’s budget director said earlier this month that the amount could be reduced because there’s money that hasn’t been spent, but Harckham said that’s been a major frustration and that the administration should get it out to communities.
On the revenue positive side, NYPIRG organized an event pushing for the Climate Superfund measure with Assemblymembers Jeff Dinowitz, Anna Kelles, Harvey Epstein and others.
The bill would place an assessment on oil companies based on their historic sales of fossil fuels. The lookback nature would prevent costs from being passed on to consumers, proponents say, because some companies would be paying less compared to others. It would raise about $3 billion annually.
Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have not backed the measure. — Marie J. French