“the states with the highest increase in renewable generation share from 2019-2024, such as Iowa, New Mexico, and South Dakota, have seen some of the largest decreases in electricity rates”
A bill introduced by Assemblymember Anna Kelles aims to harness home batteries, electric vehicles, and other clean tech to meet reliability needs.
nysfocus.com/2026/03/04/n...
The NYSERDA memo “purporting to show unacceptable costs of implementing CLCPA … is based on a specific Cap & Invest program design that has not been shared with the public … with a completely unrealistic carbon price. … the analysis simply cannot be treated as a serious contribution to the debate”
March 5, 2026 The Honorable Kathy Hochul Governor of New York State NY State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Re: Upholding New York’s Leadership in the Fight Against Climate Change Dear Governor Hochul, At a time when the Trump Administration is doing everything possible to tear down decades of progress in the fight against climate change, it is incumbent on states like New York to reject this new wave of climate denial and put forward bold policies that will save New Yorkers money, reduce pollution, and protect a livable climate for our constituents and our children and grandchildren. That is why we, the undersigned senators, categorically oppose any effort to rollback New York’s nation-leading climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and urge you to stand strong in the face of misinformation that seeks to blame the CLCPA for the energy affordability crisis that fossil fuels have created. Climate change remains one of the greatest threats that our constituents - and societies across the globe - have ever faced. New Yorkers are already living through extreme weather events that run the gamut from searing heat waves to Arctic cold snaps, and they are already paying the price1, with their dollars, their homes, their health, and even their lives. The climate crisis is driving up the cost of home insurance, of health care, of groceries, and of countless other daily necessities2, and every delay in taking action will only drive those costs even higher. Confronting this crisis is a generational task and a legacy issue for every elected official, and it is inseparable from any credible effort to address the high cost of living. At the same time, there is no question that we must address energy affordability, capacity, and reliability. But while President Trump and the fossil fuel industry want New Yorkers to believe that we must choose between those needs and climate action, nothing could be further from the truth. The recent three-page memo from…
not include any price guardrails, with a completely unrealistic carbon price34. As such, the analysis simply cannot be treated as a serious contribution to the debate. In reality, rolling back the CLCPA will not save our constituents money because it is not the cause of increasing costs. It is the fossil fuel status quo56 that has created the affordability crisis New Yorkers are now suffering from, and it is bold action to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency that will give them relief, saving money for individuals in the immediate-term and for all utility customers in the medium- and long-term7. When it comes to energy generation capacity, renewables can be deployed cheaply and quickly to meet our needs8. And over the last year, through heat waves and polar vortexes9, renewables have proven that they add much-needed reliability10 to the grid, reducing price spikes in the process, like those driven by wars in Europe and the Middle East. Between us we carry significant legislation on a broad number of policies large and small that will reduce New Yorkers’ costs and move us toward our science-based climate targets. We stand ready to work with you and your administration to implement comprehensive climate policies that truly meet the needs of this moment – but we cannot support abandoning our commitment to climate progress. Sincerely, Liz Krueger Pete Harckham Kevin S. Parker 28th Senate District 40th Senate District 21st Senate District Chair, Finance Chair, Environmental Conservation Chair, Energy & Telecoms Jamaal T. Bailey April N.M. Baskin Erik Bottcher 26th Senate District 63rd Senate District 47th Senate District
Jabari Brisport Samra Brouk Cordell Cleare 25th Senate District 55th Senate District 30th Senate District Leroy Comrie Nathalia Fernandez Kristen Gonzalez 14th Senate District 34th Senate District 59th Senate District Andrew Gounardes Michelle Hinchey Robert Jackson 26th Senate District 41st Senate District 31st Senate District Brian Kavanagh John Liu Rachel May 27th Senate District 16th Senate District 48th Senate District Shelley B. Mayer Zellnor Myrie Roxanne J. Persaud 37th Senate District 20th Senate District 19th Senate District Jessica Ramos Gustavo Rivera Julia Salazar 13th Senate District 33rd Senate District 18th Senate District James Sanders Luis Sepulveda José M. Serrano 10th Senate District 32nd Senate District 29th Senate District Toby Ann Stavisky Lea Webb 11th Senate District 52nd Senate District
👀 New letter from 29 NYS Senators (>2/3 of the Dem caucus) to Hochul this morning:
“We categorically oppose any effort to rollback New York’s nation-leading climate law… and urge you to stand strong in the face of misinformation that seeks to blame the CLCPA for the energy affordability crisis”
Past fossil-fuel price spikes left import-dependent countries with two options: pay up or cut fuel use. Now there is an alternative in solar and batteries.
I looked at recent examples in Europe, Pakistan, Cuba to glean what might happen with the war on Iran.
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A large immigration detention camp in Texas has been closed to visitors and attorneys due to a measles outbreak, a lawmaker said.
Mercury poisoning is back on the menu.
Here’s @jeva.bsky.social with the story of how the Trump administration’s rollback of coal plant emissions regulations could wind up in your tuna:
heatmap.news/climate/trum...
![[NYT live blog screenshot]
Shawn McCreesh
March 4, 2026, 3:28 p.m. ET
11 minutes ago
Shawn McCreeshReporting from Washington
President Trump made some new comments on the war in Iran during an afternoon appearance at the White House just now. He still doesn’t seem to have an idea as to who he envisions running Iran’s government after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Their leadership is just rapidly going,” he says. “Everybody that seems to want to be a leader, they end up dead. It’s an amazing, an amazing thing that’s taking place before your eyes.”
He said that on a scale of 1 to 10, he would rate the American war effort a 15.
[Photo of Trump speaking, flanked by cabinet members]
Credit...Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:64drjustsrvsrcl2a2n2jnyf/bafkreibr7rpvhsxh5gbr5difpn7r7hryf2fhyb6jhhvlq63qfnopbkrqi4@jpeg)
[NYT live blog screenshot] Shawn McCreesh March 4, 2026, 3:28 p.m. ET 11 minutes ago Shawn McCreeshReporting from Washington President Trump made some new comments on the war in Iran during an afternoon appearance at the White House just now. He still doesn’t seem to have an idea as to who he envisions running Iran’s government after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Their leadership is just rapidly going,” he says. “Everybody that seems to want to be a leader, they end up dead. It’s an amazing, an amazing thing that’s taking place before your eyes.” He said that on a scale of 1 to 10, he would rate the American war effort a 15. [Photo of Trump speaking, flanked by cabinet members] Credit...Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times
Grid investment is rising fast. BloombergNEF reports record spending in 2025 of 470 to 483 billion US dollars, up 17 percent on 2024. That is the second year of double digit growth.
This reflects structural change: more renewables, electrified transport & heating + rising demand from data centres.
Following Virginia, Illinois, and other states, New York now has legislation on the table to ramp up “virtual power plants.” It would give utilities six months to develop programs and boost incentives for customers to participate.
Here’s a first look at the new bill from Assemblymember Anna Kelles:
The Mamdani Administration is laser-focused on addressing both the affordability and climate crises. We look forward to partnering with the State to invest in projects that deliver clean, resilient energy to New York City and to advance programs that directly tackle energy insecurity for New Yorkers.
Mamdani is so far avoiding stepping into the fray over New York’s climate law. From City Hall spox Jeremy Edwards, when I asked about Hochul’s push to amend the CLCPA:
“The Mamdani Administration is laser-focused on addressing both the affordability and climate crises…”
European natural gas price up by another 35% today to 60 €/MWh; now almost double last Friday's level!
Trump: "Finally, we honor one more American soldier, a fallen warria of world. Of wars. And really, terra.”
LI Assemblymember Keith Brown, earning up to $600K at his law firm, said leaving office was a “difficult” decision, “but it is time.”
“Brown didn’t offer any more about whether the upcoming enforcement of the outside income cap contributed to his thought that now is the right time to leave office.”
NEW: Here's what the crisis in the Middle East and turmoil in energy markets mean for renewable energy and the clean transition
Story w @akshatrathi.bsky.social @sharonchenhm.bsky.social via @bloomberg.com
FREE read:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It was great talking to @jigarshahdc.bsky.social as part of our look at what’s holding back “virtual power plants” in NY.
“There’s no architect for change in New York state.… And as a result, [utilities] continue to get the ability to raise rates.” nysfocus.com/2026/02/28/v...
"In Iran, the destruction and general illegality is the point: This administration wants to drop a shitload of bombs, to kill a foreign leader, to destabilize a foreign nation, if not an entire region simply because it can—and because no one can stop them." newrepublic.com/article/2071...
• This is a war of choice, not necessity. The U.S. and Israel initiated strikes on Iran without a direct, imminent threat. That makes this a discretionary conflict, and history shows wars of choice often come with long, unpredictable tails. • Escalation is almost guaranteed. Iran has been preparing for this day since the 12-day war. Retaliation is likely to take place not just directly, but asymmetrically, potentially igniting multiple fronts at once. • Regional conflagration is a real possibility. If Hezbollah fully engages from Lebanon, if militias strike U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, or if the Houthis escalate in the Red Sea, this stops being a bilateral conflict and becomes a region-wide war stretching across the Middle East
Global economic shockwaves are likely. Iran sits along the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Even limited disruption could spike energy prices, fuel inflation, and rattle global markets. • U.S. forces across the region are exposed. American troops and assets in Iraq, Syria, the Gulf, and at sea are within reach of Iranian missiles and drones. What starts as a targeted strike campaign could quickly put thousands of U.S. personnel at risk. Even @realDonaldTrump admitted that American blood could be spilled. • Long wars reshape politics at home. Sustained conflict risks war fatigue, domestic division, and political backlash in the U.S. and Israel — especially if casualties rise or objectives become unclear.
Senior expert on Iran at @crisisgroup.org Ali Vaez.
You can just say things.
NEW: An overdue update to New York’s benefit cards that could prevent food stamp theft could launch as early as next February.
This is such a well done piece that reports out, with hard data and interviews, something profound about what's gone wrong in this country.
www.wsj.com/us-news/amer...
Hochul's push to change New York's climate mandates is "a public policy mistake," a key lawmakers says as NYSERDA releases a memo purporting increased cost concerns www.capitolconfidential.com/p/hochuls-zy...
- ZYN tax opponents make their case
- We're getting a state revenue update tomorrow
"Wait, why don't we put power lines underground?" www.wbur.org/news/2026/02... @wbur.org
NEW: Congressional leaders & others are calling for investigations into Border Patrol following the death of Nurul Shah Alam, a refugee left by agents at a coffee shop.
Shah Alam, nearly-blind, was left to wander the city. He died Tuesday.
www.investigativepost.org/2026/02/26/c...
Senate leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins already said a few days ago that there was no appetite in the conference to roll back the climate law. www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/...
Harckham Response to NYS Budget Director Blake Washington’s Statement Regarding the Need to Roll Back CLCPA Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, released the following response today to New York State Budget Director Blake Washington’s recent statement regarding the rolling back of New York’s enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA): “Protecting New Yorkers from the current and future multibillion dollar impacts of climate change is not ‘well intentioned’: it is imperative. It is time to finally reject the false equivalents put forth by the oil and gas industry. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) recently reported that the main driver of high utility costs is natural gas, not renewables. “95% of the world’s new energy generation, and 100% in the petrol state of Texas—saving their ratepayers $30 billion over the last ten years—has been in renewable energy sources because they are lower costing and faster to scale. “Yes, we can address climate change, reduce costs for ratepayers, increase energy generation and resilience and create tens of thousands of good paying jobs in the process. What we need is the political courage to do so.”
Response from NYS Senate enviro chair Pete Harckham:
“Protecting New Yorkers from the multibillion dollar impacts of climate change is not ‘well intentioned’: it is imperative.…
“Yes, we can address climate change [and] reduce costs for ratepayers… What we need is the political courage to do so”
Hochul seems to be waffling on whether/how to roll back New York’s flagship climate law, the CLCPA, but her budget director strongly suggested yesterday that it is still on the agenda for the coming weeks. www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/...
EDF Leadership Greg Beard, LPO Senior Advisor Headshot Greg Beard Director, EDF Jeffrey McClure Headshot Jeffrey McClure Senior Advisor, EDF Portrait of Phil Kangas Phil Kangas Deputy Director, EDF HERNAN-CORTES-PORTRAIT 2025.jpg Hernan Cortes Chief Investment Officer, EDF
TIL that the chief investment officer at Trump’s Office of “Energy Dominance Financing” (formerly the Loan Programs Office) is named... Hernan Cortes
Manhattan snow clearing is different
