Here’s what we’re reading this week:
Electrifying Our Buildings to Fight Climate Change
As global fossil fuel emissions are the leading cause of climate change, leaders all over the world have come up with solutions to lower their region’s carbon footprint. In New York, policies have been implemented to help reduce gas emissions through transportation, industrial, and power sectors. Since the primary source of the city’s emissions comes from buildings, it is evident that building decarbonization is necessary to achieve our climate goals. One of the most critical ways to fight climate change in New York City is to electrify buildings. NYLCV therefore supports Intro 2317, a bill that would place an emissions cap on all new and renovated buildings and encourage building electrification. However, we feel that there need to be some major amendments to the bill so that we approach the complexities of building electrification pragmatically.
Advocates Seek Support of Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Concerning Lead in Drinking Water
Recently, nearly 40 environmental and public health advocates including NYLCV sent a letter to the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC) concerning lead in drinking water. According to the EPA website, CHPAC is a “body of external researchers, academicians, health care providers, environmentalists, state and tribal government employees, and members of the public who advise EPA on regulations, research, and communications related to children’s health.”
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters said, "The City needs to make green infrastructure a priority, and the League is looking forward to working with Mayor-elect Eric Adams in this effort to take big steps forward during his administration. New research by the Center for an Urban Future shows that we have a long way to go on our green infrastructure goals. Climate change is causing more frequent and more severe rainstorms that have led to tragedy; comprehensive mitigation efforts must be across all five boroughs while prioritizing neighborhoods underserved and most affected. Modernizing our infrastructure means developing green in places at risk of flooding, investing in parks and, and reducing combined sewer overflows to protect our waterways, as green infrastructure absorbs storm water to help minimize stresses on the sewer system. We have to take action, and fast, to combat the impacts of climate change."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a cast of dozens, including NYLCV President Julie Tighe, showed up at the base of the Queensboro Bridge on Tuesday to break the news that city cycling could reap a windfall of federal fun bucks in the years to come. “How much will New York get — $289 billion for bike infrastructure,” Schumer said at a press conference celebrating the street safety aspect of the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The federal infrastructure bill boosted the amount of money that goes towards the federal “transportation alternatives” grants, and also created a new pot: a $200-million-per-year Safe Streets For All program that will support Vision Zero efforts in cities and states across the country.
The House of Representatives took a major step to a clean energy future by passing the transformative Build Back Better Act, which is critical to address our climate crisis and invest more than a half trillion dollars to reduce emissions, make our communities more resilient, and expand renewable energy. This legislation will take significant action to remove lead water pipes, fund clean school bus fleets, provide incentives to buy electric vehicles (EV) and expand the network of EV charging stations, and create good-paying, green energy jobs through the new Civilian Conservation Corps all while cutting pollution and investing in disadvantaged communities. The New York League of Conservation Voters thanks every member of our congressional delegation who voted yes for this transformative bill, and urges the Senate to take quick action to meet the moment and send the final bill to the President’s desk so New York and our nation can realize the benefits of a clean energy economy.
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