August 11, 2022
Climate Alarmism Descending upon the Lower Levels of Government
By
Irene Heron
Everyone knows about the disastrous Green New Deal that is being foisted upon us by our federal rulers in D.C. However, few New Yorkers realize that our state is way ahead of the game when it comes to destroying modern life as part of the climate change hoax. We have our own version of the GND known as the Climate Leadership and Communities Protection Act (CLCPA).
Since the Dems have held the legislature and governor’s seat, some of the most destructive programs and regulations have been imposed to stop the use of fossil fuels in our homes, cars and every facet of our lives without regard for the consequences.
In 2019, New York lawmakers approved one of the most aggressive climate policies in the world, requiring net zero emissions for all sectors of the state’s economy by mid-century. The CLCPA requires New York to acquire all of its electricity from carbon-free energy sources by 2040 and then reach net zero emissions by 2050. In fact, we are one of the few states in the U.S. (if not the only one) with legally binding emissions reduction targets that meet goals set by the
Paris climate agreement.
As the Empire Center think tank
explained, New York can increase its use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it cannot do so cheaply while maintaining grid reliability.
Meanwhile, just as with the national GND debacle, no one will admit that we are nowhere near being able to go without the reliable energy sources (nuclear, oil, gas, coal and hydroelectric) that have served us so well since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Nor do we have sufficient storage capacity (batteries) for the energy that's generated by unreliable wind and solar sources.
Business leaders are worried that our renewable energy infrastructure is not up to the job and that the misguided rush to lower carbon emissions is
creating a concerning power deficit.
One of the worst decisions that was made by former governor Cuomo and his cronies, was to shutter the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester that had been an essential part of New York’s energy supply since the 1960s. In April of 2021, the last nuclear reactor was shut down resulting in an immediate loss of
25% of New York City's electrical power.
