Over 200 Attend Rally Calling for a Special Legislative Session to Pass Climate Bill
After mounting public pressure, the New York State Assembly will hold a public hearing for the Build Public Renewables Act AM Mamdani will join a rally demanding a special legislative session to pass the bill
New York, NY – Queens Assemblymember Zohran K. Mamdani joined over 200 New Yorkers including the Public Power New York Coalition, climate advocates and other elected officials to call on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to hold a special legislative session to address the climate crisis and pass Assembly Bill A1466D, the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA).
As a member of the Assembly’s Energy Committee, Mamdani will join Thursday’s hearing with the Committees on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Energy, and Environmental Conservation on the role state authorities have to play in meeting the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed in 2019, which sets a goal for 70% renewable energy generation by 2040.
“On Thursday, 522 of my constituents woke up to no electricity. On Saturday, a New Yorker died due to heat exposure. On Monday, we marked the seventh consecutive day of 90 degree and above temperatures. The climate crisis does not abide by the legislative calendar, and neither can we. We must hold a special legislative session, pass BPRA, and finally provide energy to New Yorkers that is reliable, renewable, and at a reasonable cost.” says Assemblymember Mamdani. “Three years ago, we passed the CLCPA, which set nation-leading standards in combating the climate crisis. Now, it’s time for us to deliver on its promise. BPRA ensures we do just that.”
| Who: | Assemblymember Zohran K. Mamdani, Public Power New York Coalition members (Alliance for a Green Economy, Energy Democracy Alliance, Food & Water Watch, NYC-DSA Ecosocialists, Nassau DSA, Sane Energy Project, Suffolk DSA and Sunrise Movement), 350 Brooklyn, Climate Families NYC, People’s Climate Movement NY, and other elected officials |
| When: | Wednesday July 27, 2022 at 12pm |
| Where: | On the sidewalk outside 250 Broadway, New, NY 10007 |
| Why: | Speaker Heastie decided against bringing BPRA to a vote before the end of the legislative session despite the bill having passed the NY State Senate and with more than enough support to pass the Assembly. Facing public outcry, Speaker Heastie announced an Assembly Hearing on July 28. New Yorkers, including State Assemblymember Mamdani, are calling on the Speaker to hold a special legislative session to address the climate crisis and pass BPRA. In a week that has seen the stagnation of federal climate policy, outages and unreliable service amid record heat, New Yorkers continue to pay for skyrocketing electricity costs to line ConEd’s pockets and pay for the continued building of fossil fuel infrastructure. New York State must act now to direct the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to build, own and sell renewable energy: only then can we clean up the energy grid, create good union jobs, and lower energy bills. |