Metzger seeks to halt fossil fuel infrastructure

FRITZ MAYER
Posted 5/8/19

ALBANY, NY — New York State Sen. Jen Metzger has introduced legislation that would halt the production of new fossil fuel infrastructure in the state. The bill is called the Freedom From Fossil …

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Metzger seeks to halt fossil fuel infrastructure

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ALBANY, NY — New York State Sen. Jen Metzger has introduced legislation that would halt the production of new fossil fuel infrastructure in the state. The bill is called the Freedom From Fossil Fuels Act (FFFA).

“The urgency of climate change requires a rapid transition to clean energy,” Metzger said during a press conference on the bill on May 6. “We cannot achieve that transition, or the economic benefits to New York that it promises, if we continue to invest in new fossil fuel infrastructure and extend our dependence on fracked gas and oil from out of state.”

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic is supporting FFFA in the Assembly. “I’m proud to sponsor legislation with Senator Metzger that takes immediate steps to curb New York’s reliance on fossil fuels and plans for eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels in the next decade. Together we will ensure that New York leads the country in clean, sustainable energy.”

The bill would also require that the State Energy Planning Board create a plan to move to 100% non-fossil fuel by 2030 if possible and by 2040 at the latest.

“Protecting people from the hazards of oil and gas infrastructure, such as pipelines, compressor stations and power plants, is difficult, yet vitally important,” said Dr. Kathleen Nolan, a founder and member of the steering committee of Concerned Health Professionals of New York, who also attended the press conference. “This legislation not only mandates that we break our cycle of dependence on fossil fuels and their infrastructure but also supports ongoing efforts to help New York State transition rapidly to a sustainable, renewable energy future.”

Also present at the press conference were Senators Pete Harckham and Rachel May, and environmental advocates Jeremy Cherson of Riverkeeper and Andy Bicking of Scenic Hudson.

“New York has an enormous opportunity to tackle climate change, lead the nation in clean energy development and capitalize on the economic and environmental benefits of a clean energy economy,” Metzger continued. “We must focus on investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand management technologies, not on fracked-gas power plants. With sensible energy planning, we will transform our economy and create good-paying, local clean energy jobs in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, and across the state.”

news, sen. metzger, fossil fuel, fffa, environmental, economic

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