Letters to the editor — Thursday, March 12

Hochul and Barrett should lead on climate

Almost three years ago to the day, our NYS assemblymember Didi Barrett introduced her “Methane Bill” in the Assembly. Barrett claimed that it was her idea to gut New York’s climate law by deleting the potent greenhouse gas methane (AKA natural gas) from the popular Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, but it became obvious that NYS Governor Kathy Hochul was actually pulling the strings. When New York residents saw what was about to happen and called Hochul out, she dropped her support for the bill, leaving Barrett holding the bag.

Now in 2026, when constant distractions (war, scandals, white-house remodeling) have driven the climate crisis off most American’s radar, Hochul has found a new opportunity to provide the largest gift yet to the oil and gas industry. Hochul has been talking up the supposed costs to upstate New Yorker’s if the state were to move forward with reducing our emissions. Of course these costs fall squarely on the Governor’s shoulders since she has blocked the actions demanded by the climate law at every turn.

Hochul would like to see New York’s climate goals tossed out. Why should she care about the billions of dollars NYS residents will lose as floods, fires and freak storms wreak havoc? She won’t be in office forever, and the oil companies remember their friends…

Those of us who care about New York’s leadership role in preventing the worst climate catastrophes call on Hochul and Barrett to lead, follow or get out of the way. Obstructing climate action is not an acceptable option.

Bill Kish
North East

Don’t backtrack on New York’s climate law

Some Albany politicians, including Governor Hochul, are pointing to a recent report from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to argue that New York should weaken the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). That would be a mistake.

Communities like North East and Millerton are already seeing the effects of a changing climate. Stronger storms threaten our homes and critical infrastructure.Hudson Valley farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather and heavier downpours. The CLCPA was adopted in 2019 because New York recognized the need to confront these risks and transition to a cleaner energy system.

Recent increases in the price of oil and natural gas (which is burned to generate a lot of NY State’s electrical supply) should be a reminder that doubling down on fossil fuels is not a stable long-term strategy. Families and small businesses across our region have seen heating and electricity bills spike when fossil fuel prices rise. Electricity costs have skyrocketed seemingly overnight for some, and many neighbors are struggling to cope.This problem is not limited to New York.New Jersey has declared a state of emergency to address this crisis.Continuing or expanding our dependence on fossil fuels would only expose our families and businesses to more of that instability.

The transition to clean energy must be implemented carefully, with attention to affordability and reliability. But the solution to implementation challenges is to improve the plan to meet CLCPA goals rather than abandon them. Investments in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable power can reduce pollution, stabilize and even lower energy costs over time, and create jobs across the Hudson Valley.

The undersigned residents of North East and Millerton call upon Governor Hochul, and all of our representatives in Albany, to stay the course and focus on making the clean-energy transition work better for communities like ours.We appreciate that our State Senator, Michelle Hinchey, and our Assemblymember, Didi Barrett, have reiterated their support for preserving the CLCPA.

The climate challenge hasn’t gone away. Neither should New York’s commitment to solving it.

Rich Stalzer
Kathy Chow
James Cole
Rachele Grieco Cole
Katie Cariello
Louise Meryman
Dean Nicyper
Tom Parrett
Camilo Rojas
Kathleen Spahn
Andrew Stayman
Millerton