In Rare Show of Force, House Democrats Pressure Hochul on Climate Bill – The New York Times

In Rare Show of Force, House Democrats Pressure Hochul on Climate Bill – The New York Times

Several influential members of New York’s congressional delegation are pressuring Gov. Kathy Hochul to fully embrace a climate bill that would compel the state to build wind and solar energy projects when private industry falls short of state environmental goals.

The effort — an unusual show of force by Washington into Albany’s affairs — was made public on Wednesday in a letter sent to the governor that “strongly” encouraged Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, to fall in line with the state’s left-leaning Legislature and support the bill, known as the Build Public Renewables Act.

Nine of New York’s Democratic members of Congress have signed on: Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Yvette Clarke, Grace Meng, Adriano Espaillat, Daniel Goldman, Nydia Vel?zquez, Patrick Ryan and the effort’s leader, Jamaal Bowman.

The measure would lay the groundwork for a publicly owned renewable energy system by allowing the New York Power Authority to build, own and operate renewable energy generation. Each year, the Power Authority would assess the progress made by private industry on the goals set out by New York’s 2019 climate law and would launch its own projects when the private sector falls short.