In her first major environmental proposal, Cynthia Nixon,
who is challenging Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for the Democratic nomination, called
on New York State to commit to 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2050, a
benchmark that has been something of a Holy Grail for activists concerned about
the warming of the planet as a result of the burning of fossil fuels.
Her announcement on Friday came just hours after the
governor’s office had issued its own call for increased efficiency targets to right
“the devastating effects of climate change.” Both moves seemed calculated to
coincide with Earth Day on Sunday, but also as a means of upstaging the other’s
initiatives.
Ms. Nixon called for a complete embrace of renewable energy,
like that produced by wind, water or solar. Mr. Cuomo has, to this point, committed to 50 percent renewable energy by
2030.
Speaking to a crowd in Rockaway Beach, Queens, which
was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ms.
Nixon said that action to prevent climate change “can’t fall victim to business
as usual in Albany and a political system that caters to the needs of corporate
donors over the future of New York’s children.”
Three hours before Ms. Nixon’s speech, Mr. Cuomo’s office
rolled out a multipronged plan to shave the state’s energy consumption by more
than 3 percent by 2025 and pour some $36.5 million into training for clean
energy jobs.
That brought a new response from Ms. Nixon, who blasted Mr.
Cuomo’s new energy-efficiency goals as “rehashed,” and criticized other
elements of his environmental record, saying that polluters were “still being
given free rein under the Cuomo administration.”
Mr. Cuomo’s campaign then responded by pointing out a range
of his environmental accomplishments, including banning fracking in 2014, a plan to close down
the Indian Point power plant, and a regional
cap-and-trade program.
“We welcome anyone to this critical effort as we work to
protect our environment for future generations and create a cleaner, greener
New York,” said Abbey Fashouer, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo’s campaign.
Administration officials also noted that several of Ms.
Nixon’s proposals — including divestiture from fossil fuel companies and
efforts to uphold the Paris Accord — have already been in the works under
Governor Cuomo.
Since entering the race for governor a month ago, Ms. Nixon
has been consistent and forceful in her criticism of the governor, saying
he “governs like a Republican” and calling him
“Andrew the bully,” a reference to his sometimes blunt political tactics.
With nearly five months until the September primary, polls
have shown Mr. Cuomo, who is seeking his third term, with a commanding, but narrowing, lead in the polls.
Mr. Cuomo’s decision to ban fracking won wide praise,
particularly among the progressive voters whom he has sometimes struggled to please — and whom Ms.
Nixon is seeking to win over in her challenge from the left.
As a means to getting to 100 percent renewable energy, Ms.
Nixon said her top priority as governor would be to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act, which calls
for the state to transition to clean energy across all sectors, including
transportation and buildings, by 2050. (The bill, which offers directives,
goals and oversight, but little practical advice, has passed the
Democrat-dominated Assembly, but died in the Republican-controlled Senate.)
It’s an idea touted by groups like Environmental Advocates
of New York, whose executive director, Peter M. Iwanowicz, hailed Ms. Nixon for
recognizing “that for New York to be considered a true climate leader, the state
needs to have its goals in law not subject to the whims of the governor.”
Blair Horner, the executive director for the New York Public
Interest Research Group, added the state was right to do something on a global
issue that President Trump has expressed deep skepticism of.
“The planet is heating up, the experts say we have to stop
burning fossil fuel, and New York has to be a leader,” Mr. Horner said.
“Because Washington has checked out.”
Ms. Nixon also described climate change as a visceral danger
— “This stuff is really scary,” she said — and as an economic and social issue,
saying that poor neighborhoods often bore the brunt of the impacts of climate
change.
“I’m an optimist at heart, but I’m also a realist,” she
said. “And I know it’s going to get so much worse if we don’t act today.”
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