By Patricia Henighan, Walden
Despite the uncertainties of the mid-term elections, we can breathe a sigh of relief on two fronts: Kathy Hochul was re-elected governor and the Environmental Bond Act for Clean Water, Clean Energy and Green Jobs passed by a landslide. These results demonstrate how much a clean, healthy environment means to New York residents. For that reason, we must continue to urge Gov. Hochul to stand firm against making concessions to the fossil fuel industry.
Electrification of heating through heat pumps is the only way we can meet our remission reduction mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).Claiming that natural gas and hydrogen can provide a “middle ground” to that goal is false. The technology to make this conversion is here, but we need the financial support through tax breaks to make this possible for everyone. Let your representatives at all levels know that energy efficient construction and clean heating and cooling must be top priorities in order to move ahead with our mandate for a cleaner, greener future.