Hochul must carry out cap-and-invest effort

The American Lung Association urges Gov. Kathy Hochul to fully implement New York state’s cap-and-invest program, a critical tool for cutting climate pollution and protecting public health.

As we head into the winter season, when more people spend time indoors and rely heavily on heating systems that can worsen air quality, the urgency for cleaner energy becomes even more pressing.

With communities across New York State experiencing worsening air pollution, we must accelerate our transition to renewable energy.

Cap-and-invest will help drive this shift while holding major polluters accountable for the harmful emissions that burden New Yorkers’ lungs.

Under this policy, an annual limit, or “cap,” is set on greenhouse gas emissions. The revenue generated would then be invested in clean energy, reducing pollution, and funding solutions.

Some claim that moving to cleaner technologies and electrification will raise utility costs on everyday New Yorkers, but that is simply not true.

In reality, electrification paired with energy efficiency lowers household energy bills over time, shields families from volatile fossil fuel prices, and reduces health costs driven by air pollution.

By investing in renewable energy, we can create healthier homes, stronger local economies, and a more resilient future.

Gov. Hochul must act now and fully implement cap-and-invest programming.

Max Micallef

Schenectady

The writer is NYS Advocacy Manager – Clean Air Initiatives American Lung Association.

Nonprofits have role to play in energy efficiency

The Nov. 21 news article, “GE Appliances moves production,” indicated the Haier subsidiary based in Kentucky achieved contract agreements of $150 million-plus to produce and distribute household appliances in 10 states, but not New York.

I browsed their website, wherein the 2024 report stated their consumer appliance manufacturing and distribution supply chain is responsive to market needs and preferences.

Our constitutional social services laws authorize social services districts to assist low-medium income individuals and families to reside in sanitary and safe housing, including where landowners and renters forget humanitarian building codes.

The state and county social services agencies can conduct........

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