CRP NYC Advocacy committee
The Advocacy Committee is focused on lobbying federal, state, and local officials to put in place the policy framework which will transition the US off the use of fossil fuels and meet our national, state, and city UN COP commitments to protect us from the worst impacts of climate change.
Our first initiative was to lobby the federal government for effective climate policy starting after President Biden’s election in 2020. Thanks to the efforts of climate activists across the country, President Biden signed into law three pieces of legislation - the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, The CHIPS Act, and the largest investment to fight climate change ever, the Inflation Reduction Act.
We met with all 13 US House Representatives from New York City and both NY State Senators, many more than once, to advocate for this legislation. We are very proud that we were part of this effort! The lobbying meetings are highlighted in the photo carousel below.
Since the passage of the IRA, we have turned our sights on lobbying for the passage of New York State legislation which is required to meet our historic commitments set out in the ClimateLeadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA). We have partnered with the Renewable Heat Now (RHN) Campaign to pressure NYS legislators to pass legislation that will support the transition to all-electric, efficient & safe buildings in NY.
We have met with over 50 state legislators to lobby them to pass the RHN package, of which the Advanced Building Codes passed in 2022 and the All-Electric Buildings Act in 2023.
If you want to join those meetings, or advocate in another way, please contact us at climatereality.chapter@gmail.com.
The Advocacy Group’s Legislative Priorities for 2024:
Passage of the NY HEAT Act (S2016B/A4592B) which will save New Yorkers money by stopping the expansion of the methane gas system.
Passage of the Climate Education Act (S278A/A1559A) & $20 million in the budget for climate education.
Passage of the Climate Change Superfund Act (S2129A/A3351A) which requires climate polluters to pay for climate adaptation & is revenue positive.
Passage of the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act (S3389/A7949A) which stops certain egregious fossil fuel subsidies and is revenue positive.
Stopping budget funding grabs ($250 million from the Clean Water & $25 million for DEC staffing from Environmental Protection Fund)
Activities of the Advocacy Group:
Lobby for our priority legislation and support CRP NYC membership to act as constituents in lobby meetings.
Preparation, review and / or sign on to NYS & NYC letters of support.
Participate in Climate Action Now Action Parties & other non-partisan environmental outreach campaigns.
Update the CRP NYC membership on our efforts periodically.
The team meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:00-7:30.
