In Affordability Crunch, New York State Punts on Climate Targets

The legislature rolled back carbon emissions limits because cleaner energy sources are not coming online fast enough.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a press conference in Manhattan on Feb. 20, 2025. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Concerned about rising utility bills for New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul successfully got state lawmakers to ease New York State’s ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.

Hochul said delaying the carbon emission targets is critical to addressing affordability challenges.