Governor Hochul Plans to Allocate $500K of Public Funds for Climate Awareness Initiatives

Positive news: There is a growing public opposition to the state’s extreme Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, particularly its plans to ban gas stoves. The resulting high utility bills and bans on gas stoves and heat are causing backlash.

However, there is also negative news: Team Hochul is seeking to spend $500,000 of taxpayer money on propaganda to convince the public to accept these controversial measures.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), responsible for implementing the Climate Action policies, is offering a one-year contract for a PR firm to create a “positive narrative” around the plan.

This plan, initiated by former Governor Andrew Cuomo and currently supported by Hochul, aims to reduce statewide carbon emissions by closing natural-gas power plants and replacing them with wind and solar energy, which are more expensive and less reliable.

The bid document from NYSERDA outlines the need to address concerns related to renewable energy projects and the costs of supporting building decarbonization.

Despite the growing costs of the program, NYSERDA is committing additional funds to meet the ambitious targets, which will ultimately be reflected in consumers’ bills without being clearly disclosed as separate charges.

The editorial board highlights the unsustainable nature of this plan, noting its high costs and lack of meaningful impact on climate change. No amount of PR efforts can hide these facts.

Instead of investing in propaganda, Hochul should redirect the $500,000 towards initiatives that can truly make a difference.