State leaders weakened key parts of New York’s landmark climate law by delaying climate timelines, weakening emissions benchmarks, and changing how emissions from natural gas are counted in ways that make pollution appear lower “on paper” without reducing it in reality. These changes undermine New York’s role as a national climate leader at precisely the moment when federal climate protections are being rolled back.

But the session is not over — and there is still time to pass meaningful climate legislation before adjournment.

RAC-NY is urging legislators to act on several key bills before Thursday, June 4, including:

• The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), to reduce plastic waste and hold large corporations accountable for packaging pollution.
• The SUNNY Act, to expand access to clean energy by enabling solar installations on balconies and in more residential settings.
• A moratorium on new data centers, to pause the rapid expansion of highly energy-intensive facilities while New York evaluates their climate and energy impacts.

Many legislators who have long championed climate action are frustrated by the recent weakening of New York’s climate commitments. That creates a real opportunity: if constituents speak out now, lawmakers may still prioritize strong climate legislation in the final days of the session.

We encourage you to contact your legislators before Thursday, June 4, and urge them to pass meaningful climate legislation before the session ends.