Hochul's State of the State speech failed to ease climate activists' concerns over her administration's environmental record. The governor emphasized making energy more reliable, clean, safe, and affordable, but her proposal to increase nuclear power fivefold was met with skepticism.
Critics argue that new nuclear reactors would be expensive and have little bearing on addressing the state's energy needs. Joseph Romm, a senior researcher at Penn State University, stated that building new reactors could even raise rates for New Yorkers before they are ever turned on. This stance is seen as "magical thinking" by Romm.
The administration's approval of a key water-quality permit for a proposed natural gas pipeline and its continued involvement with a controversial bitcoin mining operation have also raised concerns among environmentalists.
Furthermore, the governor has delayed state laws aimed at reducing climate pollution, including regulations for the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This lack of action on key environmental issues has left many feeling disappointed in her leadership.
A proposal to fast-track housing projects by streamlining their environmental reviews was seen as a positive step by some, but others expressed concerns that it could lead to circumventing rules meant to protect the environment and human health.
On the energy front, Hochul's plan to build more power generation through electrification, new data centers, and retiring old plants has been criticized for its reliance on fossil fuels. The state needs up to 4 gigawatts of new energy sources by the end of this decade, according to a report released last year by grid operators.
While the governor touted her clean energy accomplishments, including the Champlain Hudson Power Express and the Soil and Sun Program, many believe she is not doing enough to advance renewable energy. The state has streamlined its permitting process for large-scale solar and wind projects, but the pace of new developments remains slow.
Overall, climate activists feel that Hochul's State of the State speech did little to address their growing concerns over her administration's environmental record.
Critics argue that new nuclear reactors would be expensive and have little bearing on addressing the state's energy needs. Joseph Romm, a senior researcher at Penn State University, stated that building new reactors could even raise rates for New Yorkers before they are ever turned on. This stance is seen as "magical thinking" by Romm.
The administration's approval of a key water-quality permit for a proposed natural gas pipeline and its continued involvement with a controversial bitcoin mining operation have also raised concerns among environmentalists.
Furthermore, the governor has delayed state laws aimed at reducing climate pollution, including regulations for the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This lack of action on key environmental issues has left many feeling disappointed in her leadership.
A proposal to fast-track housing projects by streamlining their environmental reviews was seen as a positive step by some, but others expressed concerns that it could lead to circumventing rules meant to protect the environment and human health.
On the energy front, Hochul's plan to build more power generation through electrification, new data centers, and retiring old plants has been criticized for its reliance on fossil fuels. The state needs up to 4 gigawatts of new energy sources by the end of this decade, according to a report released last year by grid operators.
While the governor touted her clean energy accomplishments, including the Champlain Hudson Power Express and the Soil and Sun Program, many believe she is not doing enough to advance renewable energy. The state has streamlined its permitting process for large-scale solar and wind projects, but the pace of new developments remains slow.
Overall, climate activists feel that Hochul's State of the State speech did little to address their growing concerns over her administration's environmental record.
. I thought she was gonna do more on reducing carbon emissions and making us a cleaner state. Instead, she's proposing more nuclear power which just seems like a Band-Aid solution. Don't get me wrong, new reactors are nice but they're not gonna make up for all the fossil fuels we still use. And what really got my goat is that she's delaying laws meant to reduce pollution 
. It feels like she's taking steps in the right direction but then takes two steps back.
. We need to be investing more in renewable energy, not fossil fuels. I mean, we've got a report saying we need 4 gigawatts of new energy sources by the end of this decade and yet... nothing seems to be happening 
. The governor's got some good initiatives, but for now, it feels like she's just trying to spin things instead of making real changes 
. I mean, think about it, we're trying to address climate change, but she's proposing to increase nuclear power by 5x? That just doesn't add up 
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. We need to be more transparent and accountable when it comes to making decisions that affect our planet.
. That's not what we want - we want to protect our air and water, not compromise on those issues.
. We need leaders who are willing to take bold action and invest in the future of our planet 
. Anything less is just not enough 
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The governor's proposal to increase nuclear power fivefold sounds like a recipe for disaster to me! 
Building new reactors is gonna be super expensive and I don't see how it'll make a dent in our energy needs. And what's with the skepticism from climate activists? I get where they're coming from, we need to reduce our carbon footprint ASAP! 
it's not exactly reassuring to know that we're okaying projects that could harm our environment. And what about those bitcoin mining operations? 
I mean, can't we find a better way to use our resources?
We can do better than this.
. I mean, I get where she's coming from - we need more reliable energy sources - but fivefold? That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me 
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. I mean, we need to be doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint ASAP! It's frustrating when it feels like progress is being made, but then there are setbacks like this that make you wonder if we're ever really gonna get there 
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. We know fossil fuels aren't good for the environment, so why is she still relying on them? And what about those concerns that this will slow down renewable energy development? That's just not cool 
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. We need to make it easier to build homes and communities without sacrificing our environment and public health. And hey, at least the governor's talking about electrification and retiring old plants – we just gotta make sure she's not relying too heavily on fossil fuels 
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. Climate activists are right to be skeptical of Hochul's plan, but I'm hopeful that with some tweaks and adjustments, we can create a cleaner, greener future for everyone 