Committee hears resolution to adopt New York State Climate Smart Communities pledge; advocates say it boosts grant competitiveness
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Summary
Resolution 926, sponsored by City Council Speaker Adams, would declare New York City adopts the New York State Climate Smart Communities pledge. Administration witnesses and environmental groups told the committee the pledge would make the city more competitive for certain state grants and technical assistance.
Resolution 926, sponsored by City Council Speaker Adams, would declare that New York City adopts the New York State Climate Smart Communities pledge. The committee heard testimony from the administration and environmental advocates in support of the resolution.
Elijah Hutchinson of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice told the committee that adopting the pledge “makes us more competitive for the Climate Smart Communities grant program at the state,” and noted MOCEJ received state support for greenhouse gas inventory work. Alia Sumrow of the New York League of Conservation Voters urged the council to “swiftly pass reso 9 2 6,” noting the pledge gives communities better access to state grants, rebates for electric vehicles and technical assistance.
Nut graf: Adoption would be an administrative pledge rather than a binding funding commitment; testimony framed the resolution as a first step to unlock state grant programs and technical support that favor Climate Smart Communities designees.
Public testimony included a speaker who said adoption could help unlock more funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure; other witnesses and advocates told the committee they support the resolution as a means to increase the city’s competitiveness for state funds.
Ending: The committee took testimony and recorded no vote at the hearing. The resolution remains before the committee for further action.