Combat the Climate Crisis
- JOIN US ON 11/18–19! Community Forums: Data Centers and Battery Storage in My Town
- 9/2026 VICTORY! NYPIRG applauds Governor Hochul’s approval of legislation to create a statewide electric lawn equipment rebate program.
- 7/2026 VICTORY! NYPIRG commends Governor Hochul’s “first-in-the-nation” one-year hyper-scale data center moratorium.
- 6/2026 VICTORY! NYPIRG applauds the passage of a one-year data center moratorium.
- 12/2025 VICTORY: Check out NYPIRG’s statement on Governor Hochul signing the bill to end the “100-Foot Rule.”
- MAJOR VICTORY: Governor Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act into law to MAKE POLLUTERS PAY!
There is no doubt that the climate crisis is here.
We are increasingly subjected to extreme heat waves, more intense storms, catastrophic flooding, roaring wildfires, withering droughts, hazardous air pollution, and serious health consequences. NYPIRG is working to ensure that New York continues to lead the country (and even the world) when it comes to tackling our greatest environmental threat.
But now, New York is at a climate crossroads. Serious attacks on environmental protections are threatening to reverse hard-won reductions in dirty fossil fuel use, and to stall future movement toward more clean, affordable, renewable energy. Now more than ever, NYPIRG needs to keep the pressure on state and federal officials and prevent them from sacrificing our clean air and water.
With the impacts of climate devastation adding up, the time to act is NOW!
Halt Energy Hog AI Data Centers
Across the country, and right here in New York, proposals to build massive data centers are popping up. During Earth Week 2026, NYPIRG and our climate allies gathered together for a five-stop statewide “Energy Hog” bus tour calling on the state to crack down on AI data centers and other energy-intensive infrastructure.
AI (“artificial intelligence”) data centers run many supercomputers that require a tremendous amount of energy and water to run, and they generate persistent, terrible noise pollution. Left unregulated, these energy hogs could lead to rising air pollution, industrial use of local clean water, and skyrocketing utility bills.
That is why NYPIRG has been pushing for New York to rein in the unchecked expansion of data centers and protect our communities by...
- Setting clear limits on where and how these mega-facilities can operate.
- Ensuring that noise, air, and water pollution risks are mitigated.
- Rejecting attempts to repower old fossil fuel power plants to serve these centers.
- Providing for meaningful community input throughout the process.
In the final hours of the 2026 legislative session, the state Senate and Assembly approved — with bipartisan support — S.10642 (Gonzalez)/A.11560 (Barrett), the Responsible Data Center Development Act. This legislation establishes a one-year pause on new large data center permits (peak demand of 20 MW or more), sets energy efficiency goals, and requires the commencement of an environmental impact review to identify likely environmental and ratepayer impacts from the proliferation of data centers, and propose ways to avoid or mitigate those impacts after the review period. We are calling on the Governor to sign this critical bill into law.
VICTORY: On July 14, 2026, due to tireless advocacy from NYPIRG and our coalition partners, Governor Hochul issued an executive order placing a one-year moratorium on the permitting of hyper-scale (50MW or more) data centers in New York State. The Governor’s move allows the state more time to review the environmental impacts of these industrial behemoths, and comes amid growing public pushback and a wave of local ordinances restricting the permitting or construction of data centers in municipalities across New York.
We commend the Governor and her “first-in-the-nation” hyper-scale data center moratorium — and we are glad to see that the Governor is listening to the loud cries of her constituents as she works to regulate the data center industry — but there is still work to do...
JOIN US! Community Forums: Data Centers and Battery Storage in My Town
NYPIRG is hosting a series of events across the state to continue the conversation about the future of New York’s energy supply and how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and large load data centers used for artificial intelligence (AI) will play a role. We will hear from a range of community experts, professors, advocates, and local elected representatives at these forums. All are encouraged to attend and ask questions!
The events will be held in New Paltz on November 18, and in Buffalo, Cortland, New York City, and Syracuse on November 19. Visit our event registration form for individual event details and to RSVP, and we will follow up with a reminder and more information as each event approaches.
We hope to see you there!
Stop the Expansion of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
Burning fossil fuels is by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for around 68% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Climate change is disastrous for public health and community stability, as it exacerbates:
- Respiratory and cardiovascular disease
- Injuries, property damage, and premature deaths related to extreme weather events
- Changes in the prevalence and geographical distribution of food- and water-borne illnesses
- Other infectious diseases
- Threats to mental health
Pipelines and compressor stations release chemical pollutants into the air, sometimes at levels higher than national air quality standards, and are often placed in rural areas with higher levels of poverty and/or minority populations, contributing to environmental justice concerns.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels toward cleaner and sustainable energy sources and increased investment in energy efficiency measures will improve public health and lower emissions, helping to slow climate change and minimize its anticipated impacts on public health and our communities.
NYPIRG strongly opposes the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure like gas pipelines, compressor stations, and power plants — fossil fuels should be left in the ground!
Stop the Constitution Pipeline!
The Constitution Pipeline is a proposed interstate natural gas pipeline extending approximately 125 miles from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania to Wright, New York, in the state’s Capital Region.
The revived pipeline moved closer to federal authorization on August 26, 2026 despite New York’s demand that regulators conduct a new environmental impact statement.
New Yorkers are fully aware of the hazards and risks that the Constitution Pipeline poses, as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation denied the application for the permission of this project in 2016 due to its threats to New York’s drinking water supply.
NYPIRG recently submitted a comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) calling for it to reject permits for the construction of the Constitution Pipeline.
End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Science shows that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels drive the climate crisis and pollute communities — meanwhile, that industry reaps unprecedented profits.
In the past year, global temperatures have broken records, yet so have profits among the West’s largest privately held oil companies.
New York financially incentivizes destructive fossil fuels, exempting the industry from $1.8 billion of Sales and Use Tax and Petroleum Business Tax every year. This tax was first introduced for infrastructure funding in 1983, but since then the industry has wielded its influence to maintain these tax breaks and inflate profits. With our state now facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, it is time to rethink these handouts. Repealing fossil fuel industry tax subsidies will help close the budget gap and signal our opposition to the industry that is a lynchpin in the climate crisis and aggravates environmental injustices.
The Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act amends the tax code to remove $350 million in tax handouts to the climate-polluting fossil fuel industry. It pinpoints incentives that benefit the highest polluting fuels and their most unreasonable uses, including high-emission commercial airline fuel and low-grade shipping "bunker" fuel, the operation of fracked gas infrastructure, industry research and development, and more. The Act preserves tax breaks that benefit the public, so the average lower- and middle-income New Yorker will not be significantly impacted, and job losses are not expected.
New York needs the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act in order to...
1. Stop incentivizing fossil fuels: Tax breaks should go to businesses offering public benefits, not to the wealthiest industry that causes mounting harm. Yet global fossil fuel subsidies have surged to $7 trillion annually, far higher than those for clean energy. We thereby give climate polluters the green light to keep up their destructive activity.
2. Stop inflating industry profits: Fossil fuels are one of the most profitable industries in the world, raking in $3 billion a day with profits that doubled from 2021 to 2022. Taxpayer money should not be used to further inflate industry profits.
3. Protect people and communities: Intensifying heat waves, floods, and storms already wreak havoc across the state, with disproportionate impacts on low-income areas and communities of color. We must stop incentivizing the polluters that exacerbate environmental injustices.
4. Strengthen the state budget: Repealing these handouts will help balance our state’s budget and reduce any deficits. The Act would save $350 million in annual revenue.
5. End unjust/inequitable airline subsidies: Airlines are subsidized with over $119 million a year, all while posing major environmental justice violations to communities surrounding commercial airports. Aviation subsidies inequitably benefit the small group of high earners who comprise the majority of frequent flyers — just 12% of adults account for 68% of flights. Federal rules designate aviation as "non-obligated," preventing New York from capping its emissions. New York must take action where it can by ending these subsidies.
Protect New York State’s Climate Change Superfund Act
In response to the mounting costs resulting from worsening storms, flooding, and hotter temperatures, New York passed the Climate Change Superfund Act, a common-sense law that helps to minimize the impacts of those costs on state taxes.
New York’s law shifts the financial burden from taxpayers to polluters, requiring the companies that are largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions — major polluters like Exxon, Saudi Aramco, and BP — to contribute $75 billion over 25 years to cover the state’s expenses for damages caused by climate change.
Now, instead of respecting New York’s right to fight rising costs and protect taxpayers, some are trying to shut down this state law using the federal courts. Why? Because they want to make you pay instead of the oil companies most responsible for the pollution and the threat to homes, businesses, cities, and towns. On August 31, 2026, a federal judge blocked the Climate Change Superfund Act, siding with Big Oil and relying on the legal logic contained in an unrelated lawsuit brought by the City of New York against major oil companies.
New Yorkers may not be focused on the legitimate legal distinctions between a lawsuit brought by New York City against major oil companies, and a state law that requires companies to be responsible for some of the costs of the worsening climate, with its devastating flash flooding, more intense heat waves, rising sea levels, and choking air quality from wildfires. What New Yorkers know for sure is that the damages caused by the worsening climate are hammering their wallets, and unless this decision is reversed, they will face higher taxes or reduced public services — or both — to the tune of $75 billion.
NYPIRG urges New York State Attorney General Letitia James to file an appeal, not only to protect the public’s health and wellbeing, but to protect taxpayers, too.
Local Law 97
Local Law 97 of 2019 is New York City’s world-leading climate and jobs law.
It is already a huge success, producing better-than-expected compliance results: 93% of large buildings are now in compliance as large building owners upgrade to high energy efficiency — and save money in the process.
NYPIRG continues to monitor the implementation of this law, from fighting back against bills that would weaken the law (Intro 282 of 2026), to supporting new legislation that would close loopholes that allow landlords to buy their way into compliance instead of upgrading their buildings to high energy efficiency and lower pollution (Intro 159 of 2026).
J-51 is a property tax credit for renovating a residential apartment building to upgrade to high energy efficiency, including purchasing and installing energy-efficient heat pumps, that was set to expire in 2026. The final FY2027 state budget included an expansion and extension of the J-51 tax credit through 2035. This program benefits middle and lower income co-op and condo owners, helping them retain their homes, build generational wealth, improve air quality, and create green jobs.
This is a good move. The program will help to cover much or all of the costs of energy efficiency upgrades that may be necessary under Local Law 97, and it has been expanded to cover about 50% of co-ops and condos by raising the per-unit property tax valuation. The extension through 2035 will allow owners to plan ahead with certainty.
Heat Pumps for All
“Heat Pumps for All” is a nation-leading program in New York City to help with the upfront costs of upgrading one- to two-family homes to clean, efficient heat pumps to tackle the dual affordability and climate crises by saving working people money on heating and cooling and addressing the city’s top source of climate-heating pollution: energy use in buildings.
VICTORY: In the final FY2027 New York City budget, the City Council and Mayor Mamdani included $2 million to bring heat pumps to homeowners in Environmental Justice communities!
NYPIRG looks forward to working with the City Council and the Mayor’s Administration to implement and then grow the subsidy program. Our goal is a fully-funded, universal program to successfully...
- Make installing new heat pumps immediately financially attractive to any homeowner taking advantage of the subsidy. In addition to available state and utility subsidies, a city subsidy of about $10,000 per unit would mean homeowners would save money immediately on upfront costs of installing a better system.
- Attach labor standards to funding to create good jobs through union contractors.
- Target one- to two-family homeowners, helping them invest in their property and increase their energy efficiency — thereby lowering their utility bills, improving their air quality, and increasing their ability to build generational wealth.
Large co-op and condo building owners currently benefit from the J-51 tax credit for energy efficiency, but no analogous program exists for small homeowners. The initial allocation to start a “Heat Pumps for All” program will enable a small number of homeowners to upgrade from aging, dirty boilers to clean, modern HVAC, delivering highly tangible results.
NYPIRG urges the Mayor and the New York City Council to roll out this new program immediately and increase the budgetary allocation in FY2028 to expand the program.
Bucks for Boilers
Switching from polluting fossil fuel heating systems to clean, efficient heat pumps is an important step that New Yorkers can take in order to reach our urgent climate goals.
Starting in 2030 for smaller buildings and 2035 for larger ones, the Bucks for Boilers Act will help facilitate this transition by providing up-front financing to make the switch and phase out new oil- and gas-fueled boilers at the most logical time — when their current boiler dies and the system needs replacement. The bill also provides the necessary subsidies, tied to strong labor standards, to repair and weatherize homes.
The Bucks for Boilers Act offers upfront full-coverage subsidies to low- and moderate-income households and a sliding scale for higher income individuals, so everyone benefits from this program.
NYPIRG and countless student and environmental rights advocates have fought tirelessly over the past five decades to ensure that public officials prioritize public health over special interests. Bucks for Boilers puts money in people's pockets to make their homes healthier and upgrade their property value and overall quality of life, doing exactly this.
Events & Activities
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When: Times vary by date and location
Where: Buffalo, Cortland, New Paltz, New York City & Syracuse
NYPIRG is hosting a series of events across the state to continue the conversation about the future of New York’s energy supply and how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and large load data centers used for artificial intelligence (AI) will play a role. We will hear from a range of community experts, professors, advocates, and local elected representatives at these forums. All are encouraged to attend and ask questions! Visit our event registration form for individual event details and to RSVP, and we will follow up with a reminder and more information as each event approaches.
We hope to see you there! |
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Where: Albany
NYPIRG and our coalition of advocates rallied outside the Public Service Commission (PSC) “technical conference,” part of the review process for Governor Hochul’s data center moratorium. The groups urged the Governor to slow down and take all of the public’s concerns about data centers into account, rather than the rushed, narrow review process currently underway. “Adding data center demand to the grid only exacerbates existing price pressures, making it more likely that higher costs for home energy will be here to stay. The state needs to put a pause on large load data centers, and thoroughly study the potential economic and environmental impacts, at least until New Yorkers can comfortably afford energy bills.” – NYPIRG Project Coordinator Emma Paulsen |
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When: 12 PM
Where: City Hall Steps in Manhattan
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani made promises on the campaign trail that he's forgotten since taking office. Why hasn’t he spoken up against the Williams NESE Pipeline or capped the sale of Renewable Energy Credits? Why won’t he talk about the climate crisis? NYPIRG and our climate allies rallied on the steps of City Hall calling on the mayor to take immediate action to make good on past promises, and demonstrate that climate solutions ARE affordability solutions!
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When: 9:30 AM
Where: City Hall Park in Manhattan
Photos by Patrick Nevada A coalition of New York City Councilmembers, New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung, and advocates (including NYPIRG) rallied in support of Intro 1015, legislation that would save co-op and apartment owners thousands of dollars on necessary climate upgrades to their buildings, ahead of the Housing and Building Committee Hearing. Once signed, the new and improved J-51 tax abatement program will expand eligibility to nearly 100,000 more households, ensuring more than 350,000 low- and middle-income New Yorkers can save money through 2036 as they make upgrades to their homes and comply with Local Law 97. |
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When: 12 PM
Where: City Hall Park in Manhattan
New York City needs HEAT PUMPS FOR ALL!NYPIRG and our coalition partners rallied with our New York City Council champions Jim Gennaro, Alexa Aviles, and Chris Marte in support of $10 million in the final city budget to get heat pumps to homeowners. |
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When: All day
Where: Albany
We demand a moratorium on data centers in New York!The explosion of data centers has tremendous impacts on the environment — and on our wallets. These proposals are rapidly:
We rallied and lobbied for state legislation to press the pause button on data centers, fully assess their risks, and institute regulations to protect our communities, health, and environment from the runaway damage this industry is already inflicting. |
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When: 12 PM
Where: City Hall Park in Manhattan
NYPIRG, Food & Water Watch, and New York Communities for Change delivered nearly 5,000 petition signatures to the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice and Office of Mass Engagement in support of our Gas Free NYC campaign. We want $10 million in the New York City budget to subsidize heat pumps for homeowners, and requirements that end new oil and gas boiler installations — this means cleaner air, more green jobs, and lower utility bills for New Yorkers! |
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When: Times vary by date and location
Where: Buffalo (4/16), Syracuse (4/17), Albany (4/20), Kingston (4/21) & New York City (4/23)
NYPIRG and our climate allies are traveling across New York State for our campaign to raise public awareness about energy-hogging data centers!We cannot allow AI data centers to drive up energy costs, pollute our communities, and intensify the climate crisis. Everywhere we see these facilities pop up, we see energy grids strained and utility prices increase. At a time when we are already facing sky-high energy costs, Governor Hochul is siding with polluters over people — backtracking on New York’s Climate Law and handing corporate “energy hogs” a free pass. Buffalo — Thursday, April 16:
Syracuse — Friday, April 17: Check out our news release.
Albany — Monday, April 20:
Kingston — Tuesday, April 21: Check out the news release.
New York City — Thursday, April 23: Check out the news release.
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When: All day
Where: Albany
NYPIRG and our climate allies gathered for an emergency rally to urge state lawmakers to defend and implement New York's Climate Law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which will deliver energy affordability and real climate solutions for New York households!
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When: 12 PM
Where: Con Edison, 4 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
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When: Various times
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany (3/4), Buffalo (3/6), and Syracuse (3/6)
Albany
Buffalo
Syracuse DEFEND OUR CLIMATE LAW!Across the state, NYPIRG and a coalition of climate and community leaders joined with elected officials to criticize the Hochul Administration’s apparent effort to jam into budget negotiations a plan to undermine the New York’s landmark seven-year-old climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. “Instead of proposing to galvanize the state’s so-far-lethargic effort to meet the science-based goals of the Climate Law, apparently the governor wants to back off and give up,” said NYPIRG Senior Policy Advisor Blair Horner. “How can we blame a law we're not implementing for the rising cost of gas? The Legislature should firmly reject the governor’s move. The governor’s apparent plan is too consequential to get jammed into secret budget negotiations.” “Rolling back the Climate Law means rolling back the possibilities of a healthy affordable future for myself and my peers," said Intern at Syracuse University NYPIRG Chapter Axel Quidone. “While we are in an energy affordability crisis, exposing New Yorkers to more toxins and pollutants is not the answer to lowering our bills.” Check out the news releases for more: |
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When: 10:30 AM to 1 PM
Where: Empire State Plaza in Albany
NYPIRG and our climate allies gathered during Governor Hochul’s State of the State address where she shared her agenda and vision for New York in 2026. We shared our vision for New York and spoke up for the climate, health, environment, energy costs, clean air and clean water! |
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When: 7 PM
Where: Virtual
NYPIRG was joined by our allies and special guests Bill McKibben, Mark Ruffalo, and New York State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher for the virtual launch of “Deadline Hochul” — the mass mobilization of thousands to march in Albany just before Earth Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Together, thousands of us will send our own message to Governor Hochul that cannot be ignored! |
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When: 11 AM to 3 PM
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany
NYPIRG and our allies rallied to call on Governor Hochul to stop gas infrastructure expansion in New York by signing the "100-foot rule" repeal bill (S.8417/A.8888)!New York State needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of gas for heating and cooling buildings. The state’s current laws promote gas system expansion by providing that existing customers subsidize new gas service connections — a practice known as the “100-foot rule.” Eliminating the 100-foot rule would save New Yorkers more than $500 million annually in gas utility bills! The day included a “lunch & learn” with dynamic speakers from New York State's climate movement and group discussions to map out our plans for 2026.
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Help us keep up the fight to protect New York’s environment and public health!Watch NYPIRG’s Policy and Communications Manager Cecilia Ellis discuss our urgent campaign to defend fundamental environmental laws — including the National Environmental Policy Act — which are under unprecedented federal attack. Then please make your vital, tax-deductible contribution today!
Thank you so much for your support! |
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When: 6 PM
Where: Staten Island Borough Hall
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When: 12:30 PM
Where: Outside New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) headquarters in Albany
Energy justice meets Halloween at NYSERDA HQ!NYPIRG, along with 20 advocates, contractors, and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, gathered outside NYSERDA’s board meeting — in costume — to send a clear message: Don't gut EmPower+! EmPower+ helps New Yorkers stay warm, lower bills, and access clean, efficient heating — and it supports local contractors across the state. As winter approaches and gas prices spike, we need more investment in energy efficiency, not less. Don’t freeze out families — Save EmPower+! |
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When: 10 AM
Where: Syracuse
NYPIRG joined state lawmakers and our coalition partners to demand that Governor Hochul reject two dirty, fracked gas pipelines!The Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project and Constitution pipelines would be a disaster for New Yorkers, forcing New Yorkers to pay over $3 billion to expand gas infrastructure while threatening our water and posing serious health risks to surrounding communities. 50 state legislators signed a letter to the governor urging her to reject the pipelines over the potential threat to the state’s water, economy, and energy affordability. "As a New Yorker, I take pride in being able to say our state is fracking free. Allowing this pipeline is not only an incredible danger to our health and ecosystems but also incompatible with New York's long term climate goals,” said John Roberts, a NYPIRG student at SUNY-ESF. |
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When: 11 AM
Where: Outside of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown
NYPIRG and our climate activist allies joined the Haudenosaunee people to protest against Governor Hochul's nuclear energy summit and advocate for renewable energy sources. Check out this CNY Central article for more information. |
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When: 9 AM
Where: City Hall in Manhattan
NYPIRG rallied before the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings meeting to demand a hearing on Intro 1180 be on the agenda for the next committee meeting in October! We have a chance with this council to solidify protections and strengthen Local Law 97, despite the current mayor's attempts to weaken the law. Let's get this done this year! |
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When: 12 to 4 PM
Where: Empire State Plaza Convention Center (Base of the Egg) in Albany
NYPIRG, TH!RD ACT Upstate New York, and our coalition partners were at Sun Day in Upstate New York!Inspired by the transformative impact of the original Earth Day in 1970, Sun Day is a national day of action to harness the power of people, culture, and advocacy to celebrate and accelerate the rapid build-out of renewable energy. Sun Day specifically spotlights how solar and wind are the most affordable, most reliable, and most expeditious sources of energy. Sun Day events in Upstate New York bring together activists, businesses, workers, homeowners, renters, farmers, students, and policymakers to demonstrate widespread support for the ongoing transition to renewable energy. Through arts and music, storytelling, teach-ins, and fun activities for all ages, Sun Day events showcase New York’s affordable, reliable clean energy future as we leave behind the planet-crushing toxicity of fossil fuels. |
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When: 5 PM
Where: New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn
Governor Hochul must reject the Williams NESE Pipeline NOW!NYPIRG and our allies rallied at the New York State Draft Energy Plan Hearing against gas pipelines and nuclear power plants. New York needs a state energy plan to get off of fossil fuels and expand renewable energy — not more proposed delays and dirty fuels! Not only is it the law, but it is what’s best for the climate, public health, and our wallets. |
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When: 4 to 5 PM
Where: Staten Island Ferry Terminal in Manhattan
NYPIRG and our coalition partners rallied and handed out flyers asking New Yorkers to call Governor Hochul and tell her to stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. |
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When: 12 PM
Where: Governor Hochul's New York City Office (919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022)
NYPIRG delivered our coalition's 10,000+ comments to Governor Hochul to defeat the Williams NESE Pipeline once and for all! We held a rally and press conference to demand that the governor listens to New Yorkers and refuses to cave to federal pressure. No more zombie pipelines! |
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When: 10 AM
Where: Meet at City Hall Park in Manhattan
New York State officials have agreed to consider reviving long-dead fracked gas pipelines, including Williams’ Constitution and NESE pipelines. NYPIRG joined our coalition partners for a march to protect our state from the oil and gas industry's polluting practices. Their pipelines would pollute our air and water, harm our health, and worsen the climate crisis. Moreover, everyday New Yorkers must not be left paying more for dirty pipelines while fossil fuel comanies reap the profits! |
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When: 12 PM
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
NYPIRG helped to pass the All-Electric Building Act (AEBA) into law. Now, the Building Codes Council has approved the energy codes that implement the law. NYPIRG held a news conference with elected officials and our coalition partners to support full implementation of the AEBA and to commemorate this step forward! |
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When: 4 PM
Where: Office of New York City Council Member Keith Powers (211 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017)
NYPIRG rallied with coalition partners Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, 350 Brooklyn, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, and Fridays for Future at New York City Council Member Keith Powers' office. The groups delivered over 500 petition signatures from constituents calling on him to co-sponsor Intro 1180, a loophole-closing bill that would strengthen Local Law 97 and further reduce climate-warming pollution in New York City. |
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When: 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany
NYPIRG, Renewable Heat Now, and our allies made a powerful push to pass the NY HEAT Act in Albany only one week before the end of the legislative session!The NY HEAT Act — a crucial bill for lower energy bills, cleaner heat, and a healthier future — is practical, popular, and necessary. This bill will:
The state legislature cannot let another session go by without passing the NY HEAT Act. The gas utilites keep raising rates to pay for costly new fracked gas pipes — this is outrageous. The NY HEAT Act is the bill that we need to start the transition to clean home energy, and we need it NOW! |
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When: 11 AM
Where: Albany
With momentum growing in the New York State Legislature to pass a statewide rebate program for purchasing electric lawn equipment, representatives from STIHL, EGO, Milwaukee Tools, Ryobi, The Home Depot, and Ace Hardware joined organizers from NYPIRG, Environment America, and other advocacy groups for an informative day of testing out cleaner, quieter electric lawn equipment. The “Electric Lawn Equipment Demo Day” offered state legislators and their staff, as well local residents, the opportunity to learn about the benefits of going electric. |
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When: 11 AM
Where: 140 Broadway, New York, NY 10005
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When: 12 PM
Where: City Hall Steps, City Hall Park in Manhattan
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When: 6 to 7:30 PM
Where: Parkchester Library (1985 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462)
NYPIRG organized a townhall to show support for our nation-leading climate and jobs law, Local Law 97, and to learn about all of its successes, threats, and opportunities!Now more than ever, New York needs to protect New Yorkers, and that means fighting climate change. The real estate industry and big money do not like it, but we know we cannot wait for climate action to protect our communities. New York City deserves reduced air pollution, more jobs, and lower utility bills!
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When: 12 PM
Where: Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Office Building, 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501
The NY HEAT Act will lower energy bills while fighting climate change, eliminating massive ratepayer subsidies for new fracked gas infrastructure.The event was held on the eve of a National Grid rate hike going into effect on April 1, further raising our bills while pouring more money into maintaining our reliance on fossil fuels. With a dangerous “drill, baby, drill” agenda at the federal level, it is essential that New York shows the nation what climate leadership looks like! Co-sponsors included Long Island Progressive Coalition, All Our Energy, Food & Water Watch, Working Families Party of Nassau County, New York Communities for Change, and NYPIRG |
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When: 10 AM
Where: Syracuse
It's time for cleaner heat and lower bills!NYPIRG and our allies held a news conference outside of Governor Hochul's Central New York regional office urging her to become a climate leader and include the NY HEAT Act in the final state budget. |
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When: All day
Where: Albany
NYPIRG and our coalition partners mobilized to demand that the New York State Legislature passes the NY HEAT Act in the state budget for cleaner heat and lower bills!
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When: All day
Where: Albany
NYPIRG, TREEage, and NY Renews came together from across the state to take action for the FUND Climate Campaign, Green Healthy Schools, and the NY HEAT Act! The Youth Day of Climate Action included meeting with our state representatives, rallying, art-making, performances, and more. |
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When: 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Where: The New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023)
We met the candidates running for New York City mayor!Staff and students from across the city represented NYPIRG at our New York City Mayoral Candidate Forum, where attendees heard from five candidates for mayor (Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Zohran Mamdani, and Brad Lander) who all answered questions on climate, jobs, and justice issues, such as reducing pollution, improving mass transit, and working to protect New Yorkers from the worst effects of climate change. With the federal administration in the pocket of the oil and gas companies, it is more important than ever for our top local elected officials to take major action! |
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When: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
Where: Albany
Pass the NY HEAT Act!NYPIRG, Renewable Heat Now, and allied groups called on the New York State Legislature to pass the NY HEAT Act in the budget for cleaner heat and lower bills! We told our reps that climate action and energy affordability cannot wait.
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When: 12:30 PM
Where: City Hall in Manhattan
Despite frigid temperatures, NYPIRG gathered with fellow environmental activists to demand that New York City councilmembers protect Local Law 97!With the nation-leading climate law under attack, it is more important than ever to ensure full implementation of our green new deal for buildings — the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. LL97 is already creating thousands of new jobs, lowering our utility bills, and improving the air that we breathe.
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When: 12 to 1 PM
Where: Governor Hochul's New York City Office (919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022)
Now is the time to MAKE POLLUTERS PAY!NYPIRG and our allies rallied outside of Governor Hochul's New York City office and urged her to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act to protect New York taxpayers by making the world's biggest, richest oil companies pay their fair share for climate-related damages. |
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When: All day
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany
Now is the time to MAKE POLLUTERS PAY!NYPIRG and our coalition partners rallied to urge Governor Hochul to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act to make Big Oil — not New York taxpayers — pay for climate-related damages. |
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When: Times vary by location
Where: Locations across New York State
At events across the state (Buffalo, Albany, and Kingston pictured). NYPIRG and the Renewable Heat Now! coalition pushed Governor Hochul to take bold and decisive action to protect New Yorkers from pro-fossil fuel mandates and high energy costs by passing the NY HEAT Act for cleaner heat and lower bills. |
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When: 10 AM
Where: City Hall in Manhattan
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When: 12 PM
Where: Outside of the governor's Manhattan office (633 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10016)
NYPIRG, our coalition partners, and author/environmentalist Bill McKibben delivered over 127,000 petition signatures to Governor Hochul urging her to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act into law to make Big Oil — not New York taxpayers — pay for climate damages! |
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When: 6:30 PM
Where: The New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall
It is time to hold our leaders accountable – in person!Governor Hochul's cancellation of congestion pricing and the New York State Assembly's failure to pass vital bills are a climate disaster. To address this, NYPIRG and a broad coalition of organizations sponsored a town hall-style forum to question top elected leaders about the accelerating climate crisis, which was attended by hundreds of New Yorkers. Experts explained the issues, and then we put our questions to the state- and city-level officials in attendance.
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We Need Your Support to Win
To combat the powerful oil and gas lobby, New Yorkers must let their leaders know in no uncertain terms that they support strong climate policies.
NYPIRG has a vast network of tens of thousands of community supporters and college student volunteers, and we will continue to activate this powerful statewide network on this critical issue — sharing opportunities for public comments, social media days of action, call-in drives, media events, community meetings, and more. That is where you come in…
Winning on all of this — along with our continued work on recycling and waste reduction, public health, government reform, consumer and voting rights, higher education, mass transit, and more — will only be possible if we have the grassroots support that we need to go up against the politically powerful. Your help will be essential as we take on the polluters, well-heeled lobbyists, and those public officials who put their own interests ahead of the public interest.
Please support our crucial efforts to combat the climate crisis:
- Contact us to get involved.
- Join our Community Action Network.
- Donate to keep us strong and effective.