Establish a Climate Action Council
- Date Due:
- 1/1/2020
- Responsible Entity:
- NYS
- Action:
- Establish a Climate Action Council
- Summary:
- NYS must establish the New York State Climate Action Council, which will consist of 22 members with expertise in issues relating to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.
- Status:
- EXECUTED: All CAC members have been appointed.
- Statute:
- CLCPA § 2 adds new ECL § 75-0103(1)-(6).
The CLCPA provides for the establishment of a Climate Action Council (CAC) comprised of 22 members with expertise in issues relating to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, such as environmental justice, labor, public health and regulated industries.
The co-chairpersons of the council are:
- Commissioner of Environmental Conservation
- President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The CAC's duties include:
- assembling advisory panels
- assembling a just transition working group
- preparing and approving a scoping plan outlining the recommendations for attaining the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits in accordance with the schedule established by the CLCPA, for the reduction of emissions beyond 85%, and net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy (more details on the scoping plan are available here).
The CAC must consult with the climate justice working group, the department of state utility intervention unit, and the federally designated electric bulk system operator.
A full list of the CAC members, and more information can be found here
Statutory Language: “There is hereby established the New York state climate action council ("council") which shall consist of the following twenty-two members: a. the commissioners of transportation, health, economic development, agriculture and markets, housing and community renewal, environmental conservation, labor, the chairperson of the public service commission, the presidents of the New York state energy research and development authority; New York power authority; Long Island power authority; the secretary of state, or their designees. b. two non-agency expert members appointed by the governor; c. three members to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; d. three members to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; e. one member to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and f. one member to be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. 2. The at large members shall include at all times individuals with expertise in issues relating to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, such as environmental justice, labor, public health and regulated industries. 3. Council members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.4. The co-chairpersons of the council shall be the commissioner of environmental conservation and the president of the New York state energy research and development authority or their designee. 5. Each member of the council shall be entitled to one vote. The council's approval and adoption of the final scoping plan pursuant to this section, and any subsequent interim updates thereto, shall require a supermajority of the council. No action may be taken by the council unless there is a quorum, which shall at all times be a majority of the members of the council. 6. Any vacancies on the council shall be filled in the manner provided for the initial appointment.”