As climate change-driven orange skies and high heat define New York City’s early summer, councilmembers and climate activists will rally at City Hall, demanding Mayor Adams stop dragging his feet on the landmark “green new deal law,” Local Law 97. The Administration is delaying release of key final rules to implement the law in advance of 2024, when the law’s first requirements will go into effect. While a well-financed real estate industry campaign advocates to gut the law, speakers will demand Mayor Adams issue the final key rules to implement and enforce Local Law 97 without loopholes and without delay.
Passed in 2019, Local Law 97 will reduce the emissions driving heat waves, wildfires, flooding and extreme weather events by phasing out most fossil fuel use in large buildings. To reach New York’s climate goals, and dramatically reduce air pollution, the state needs to electrify most buildings by 2050. The law is also on track to create tens of thousands of jobs, and is projected to lower energy bills.
Hedges: Julian Assange's Day in Court