Hochul seeks changes to climate law

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to scale back parts of the state’s landmark 2019 climate law over concerns about rising energy costs, according to POLITICO.

Hochul says the law’s aggressive emissions targets could drive up gasoline and home heating prices. Her administration warned a possible carbon pricing system could raise gas prices by more than $2 a gallon and increase heating costs for some upstate families by over $3,000 a year.

Environmental advocates and some Democratic lawmakers oppose weakening the law. Budget negotiations in Albany over the next few weeks could determine whether the changes move forward.