{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"New York Climate Moment: Advocates Urge Bolder Clean Energy Action After State of the State Address","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":906,"description":"As New York lawmakers debate ways to lower costs and confront climate change, environmental advocates say the state stands at a pivotal moment. Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent state of the state address included major investments in clean water and a defense of congestion pricing — steps that drew praise from environmental groups. Yet advocates caution the state still lacks a near-term plan to rapidly expand clean energy and cut pollution.Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates New York, joined NPR to break down what the state got right, where it fell short, and what the 2026 agenda calls for.\"We know that New Yorkers want climate action that's practical, affordable, and real,\" Fajans-Turner said. \"The governor understands the pressure families are under, but climate leadership now means moving much faster on deploying solutions and clean energy at scale that will lower costs and protect New Yorkers’ health in the near and long term.\"Investing in Water and Public HealthAmong the highlights of Hochul’s address was a $3.75 billion, five-year clean water plan. Fajans-Turner called it a \"historic investment\" that will not only replace aging infrastructure like lead pipes but also safeguard communities from rollbacks at the federal Environmental Protection Agency.\"This is pocketbook protection,\" Fajans-Turner said. \"By investing in large-scale public infrastructure, the state reduces costs for property taxes, municipal budgets, and household water expenses.\"Clean Energy Gaps and Nuclear ConcernsFajans-Turner praised the emphasis on affordability and safety but said the governor fell short on clean energy. \"We did not hear about utility-scale solar or offshore wind deployment,\" she said. \"Incremental wins are not enough. We need a statewide energy plan that accelerates New York toward its climate goals.\"She also cautioned against overreliance on nuclear power. \"Nuclear will cost billions more than solar or wind and take years to deploy,\"...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}