Jon Binder

Jon Binder is the Executive Director of the Model Laws for Deep Decarbonization Project and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Sabin Center.

The Model Laws Project is a joint initiative of the Sabin Center and Environmental Advocates NY. As Executive Director, Jon leads the Model Laws Project as it seeks to enhance legal capacity for climate action by state and local governments across the country. The Model Laws Project aims to advance state-level climate policy nationwide by providing draft legislation, legal analysis, implementation support, and other legal tools to facilitate further progress. At a critical time, amidst legal attacks from fossil fuel interests and the federal government, Jon works to demonstrate the value of additional state-level action while preserving the climate progress already made by states. 

Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Model Laws Project, Jon was the Deputy Commissioner for Climate Change, Air Resources, and Energy at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). In that role, Jon oversaw NYSDEC’s Division of Air Resources and Office of Climate Change, and led NYSDEC’s implementation of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. He was responsible for the development and execution of a wide range of policies, regulations, and other efforts to reduce air pollutant emissions and address the changing climate.

Before being appointed Deputy Commissioner, Jon served as an NYSDEC attorney for 15 years, most recently as the Chief of the Bureau of Climate, Air, and Energy. In that role, he served as NYSDEC’s lead attorney regarding climate issues, providing drafting and legal support for the promulgation of regulations, permitting decisions for major energy projects, and other clean air and energy actions.

Jon received his B.S. from Cornell University and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif with a Certificate in Environmental Law and was an editor on the Tulane Law Review.