HOW CAN WE COMBAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION?
We can work to pass legislation that will put into law effective ways to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, wean the U.S. off fossil fuels, and decrease pollutants in our environment.
At the same time, it is important to address issues of environmental injustice and to reduce toxins and waste in our environment.
The Huddle also works with various coalitions to pass legislation and change policies.
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Little progress was made for the climate in this legislative session. Bills that did not pass both chambers do not have to be reintroduced in 2026.
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What passed? A compromise bill, that was one of three elements of the NY HEAT Act, was passed at the last minute (S8417/A8888). This new bill ends an outdated law that obligated a utility corporation or municipality to provide the first 100 feet to a service line. This ends up being subsidized by all gas customers. The bill is awaiting the governor's signature.
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The NY HEAT Act was not voted on. The parts of the NY HEAT Act that were not voted on include a provision to create statewide affordable gas transition plan and a utility home energy affordable transition programs.
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The Senate passed the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), but never made it onto the Assembly agenda for a vote.
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Environmental and climate funding in the 2026 budget include: $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund; $500 million for clean water; $90 million for the Department of Environmental Conservation capital projects; $200 million for the NYS Parks Capital Project.
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Read more about the budget: State Budget Goes Small On Climate
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The NY League of Conservation Voters follows additional environmental bills. Those that passed include am improvement in how renewable energy systems are appraised; enhanced septic system replacement grants, e-bike and e-scooter batters safety improvements; ban on PFAS in menstrual products.
2025-2026 LEGISLATION
Climate Can't Wait has a comprehensive list of climate and environmental legislation that has been introduced in the New York state legislature in 2025.2025 Policy Agenda for a Climate in Crisis
SOME HIGH PRIORITY BILLS
NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT)
S4158/A4870
Ensures that state regulation and oversight of gas utilities realize the climate justice and emission reduction mandates established by the CLCPA.
Cap, Trade and Invest (CPI)
S4651A/A3975
Establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state by setting a maximum allowable amount of greenhouse gas emissions by covered entities and regulating the sale or auction of greenhouse gas emissions allowances to covered entities.
Green Affordable Pre-electrification Program
S3315/A2101
Establishes a GAP program to fund and provide technical assistance for homes and buildings in need of a wide-range of currently unfunded retrofits that are necessary for healthy buildings and achievement of New York’s climate mandates.
Stop Climate Polluter Handout Act
This Act eliminates over $330 million in tax handouts to the fossil fuel industry, targeting the highest polluting fuels and their most unreasonable uses, including commercial airline fuel, low-grade “bunker” fuel, and the operation of fracked gas infrastructure. Tax breaks that benefit the public, such as home heating, are not eliminated.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
The production of plastic uses fossil fuels, contributing to global warming, and the facilities that produce and incinerate plastic are often in low-income communities and communities of color.
Less than 1/3 of all plastic bottles will ever be recycled. Microplastic contamination that is ingested by fish and sea mammals have been found in rivers, lakes, and oceans. For more information go to Beyond Plastics.
Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA)
S1464/A1749
Requires companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.
PRRIA passed in the Senate but was not voted on in the Assembly.
Bigger Better Bottle Bill (BBBB)
S5684/A6543
Expands the returnable container deposit scheme to include more beverage containers. The expansion would include bottled noncarbonated beverages, noncarbonated juices that are less than 100% fruit or vegetable juice, coffee, tea, carbonated fruit beverages, wine, liquor, distilled spirit coolers, and cider. This bill also increases the bottle deposit to 10 cents per container.