ALBANY, New York — Democratic state lawmakers and environmental advocates are pushing a controversial policy to promote low-carbon fuels in the waning days of the Albany legislative session.
The concept has been kicking around Albany for years, and the debate over it remains contentious. The renewed push behind a low-carbon fuel standard is facing an uphill battle in the Assembly, but supporters are now pressing for the market-based policy as the Trump administration moves to erase California’s clean car rules, which New York adopted.
“New York has to lead,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, at an Albany press conference this week. “We cannot let four years go by without taking real action to transition away from fossil fuels, and Washington, D.C., is not going to help.”
Why it matters: The state’s climate law requires a dramatic ratcheting down of greenhouse gas emissions, including an 85 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. New York is not expected to meet the near-term 40 percent reduction target by 2030.
