About Us

Carbon Free New York is a dynamic coalition of organizations committed to advancing New York as a leader in clean energy innovation. Our mission is to support the state's transition to a sustainable energy future through smart policy frameworks and active participation in regional initiatives. 

We advocate for the adoption of a Cap-and-Invest program specifically tailored to include New York’s power sector, ensuring that our energy systems contribute positively to both our economy and our environment. By setting enforceable caps on greenhouse gas emissions, we aim to drive investment not only in carbon-free energy and energy efficiency but also in revitalizing the local communities that are most impacted by environmental challenges. These strategic investments are designed to create equitable opportunities and enhance quality of life, while fostering innovation and reducing emissions. 

New York’s continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) remains a core component of our strategy. Harmonizing the RGGI and New York’s Cap-and-Invest programs will ensure continued momentum in regional carbon reduction efforts, supporting the development of cleaner energy resources across the state. This approach includes supporting measures to prevent windfalls to clean energy providers and avoidance of emissions “leakage” – ensuring New York’s efforts are not undermined by increased emissions in neighboring states, thereby achieving actual emissions reductions for the region.  

Our initiatives are designed to align seamlessly with the objectives outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), ensuring that New York meets its ambitious climate targets. We believe that through collaborative efforts and robust policy implementation, New York can achieve a carbon-free electricity sector, setting a standard for environmental stewardship and economic resilience.  

Members of Carbon Free New York

Shared Principles

New York stands at the forefront of the nation's journey towards a sustainable and equitable clean energy future. Carbon Free New York is committed to principles that ensure our electricity sector not only supports but accelerates the state’s environmental and community revitalization goals. 

Our principles include: 

  1. Power Sector Alignment:  
    Ensure the power generation sector is included in New York’s economywide Cap-and-Invest program.  Directly enforce caps on carbon emissions to expedite the decarbonization of both in-state power generation and energy imports, ensuring progress aligns with the goals set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).  This includes implementing measures to prevent economic leakage ensuring that our efforts to reduce emissions do not inadvertently lead to increased emissions outside our borders. 

  2. RGGI Membership: 
    Continuing New York’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to maintain momentum in regional carbon reduction efforts and support the development of clean energy infrastructure. Maximize the efficiency of both RGGI and New York’s Cap-and-Invest program by netting the cost of RGGI allowances against NYCI allowances thereby avoiding double payments for the same emissions.   

  3. Economy-Wide Strategies  
    Leverage economic incentives of the Cap-and-Invest model to drive investments in carbon free and clean energy, energy efficiency, and cost-effective transmission projects. This underscores the necessity of transmission upgrades to un-bottle carbon free resources, reduce system congestion, and ensure the delivery of clean energy from Upstate and offshore generation sources to consumers in Southeastern New York. 

  4. Promoting Public Health, Equity, and Affordability: 
    Focus on significantly improving air quality and public health outcomes by transitioning from high-emission power sources to cleaner alternatives, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations in communities of color and low-income areas. Ensure inclusive and equitable community involvement in planning and implementation to make the transition beneficial for all. Advocate for policies under New York's Cap-and-Invest strategy that allocate benefits widely and fairly, prioritizing affordability to ensure all communities have access to cleaner air, improved health outcomes, and a sustainable energy future. 

  5. Creating Job Opportunities:  
    Generate new, high-quality jobs in the green economy through investments in carbon free energy projects and infrastructure, emphasizing skill development and long-term career opportunities in sustainable sectors. 

  6. System-Level Needs of a Carbon Free Grid:  
    Recognize that achieving New York's ambitious energy and climate objectives will require attention to the unique performance attributes of different resources, a diversity of generation types, and investments in modern, efficient, and robust infrastructure, inclusive of transmission, storage, and grid stabilization. 

By adhering to these principles, Carbon Free New York aims to lead by example in crafting a cleaner, more sustainable, and inclusive future, ensuring that our state not only meets but exceeds its ambitious environmental and social objectives.