Why critics say Albany’s green agenda weakens the state’s economy, raises costs for families, and plays into the hands of America’s rivals.
New York’s leaders are pushing ahead with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and a Draft State Energy Plan that promises a “green future.” The plan says the state will run on 70% renewables by 2030 and reach a 100% zero-emission grid by 2040.
Sounds great on paper. But here’s the problem: while New York sacrifices its own economy, the rest of the world isn’t following.
The Big Contradiction
- Asia and Africa are building more coal plants and burning more oil and gas than ever.
- China and India keep increasing fossil fuel use to power their industries.
- Russia and Iran depend on selling oil and gas — and they make more money when U.S. states restrict their own energy.
- Meanwhile, the Trump administration in Washington (2025) is going the opposite way: drill more, export more, and make energy cheap and abundant again.
So while the world’s biggest polluters keep burning, New York is waging a “climate war” against itself.
Who Wins from New York’s Plan?
- Russia, Iran, and OPEC: higher global prices = more profit for them.
- China and India: cheaper energy at home means stronger manufacturing.
- Climate NGOs and bureaucrats: more money and power through subsidies and carbon credits.
- Big corporations and investors: subsidies, government contracts, and green energy mandates fill their pockets.
Who Loses?
- New York families: higher bills for heating, cooling, and electricity.
- Local businesses: higher energy costs make them less competitive.
- Workers in oil, gas, and heating industries: jobs vanish.
- Taxpayers: footing the bill for subsidies and infrastructure.
- The electric grid: risk of blackouts if reliable fuels disappear too fast.
The Bottom Line
New York’s Draft Energy Plan is sold as a fight against climate change. But critics say it looks more like a self-inflicted wound:
- It won’t change global emissions.
- It makes life more expensive for ordinary New Yorkers.
- It helps America’s rivals — Russia, Iran, and China — by weakening U.S. energy.
Instead of being a “green victory,” it may end up as a war on New York’s own economy and standard of living.
Winners vs. Losers of New York’s Draft Energy Plan
| Winners | Why They Win |
|---|---|
| Russia, Iran, OPEC | Less U.S. competition means higher global oil & gas prices = more profit. |
| China & India | Keep using cheap coal, oil, and gas → cheaper factories and stronger economies. |
| Climate NGOs & Bureaucrats | More subsidies, more carbon credit markets, more control. |
| Big Corporations & Wall Street | Win government contracts, profit from “green” mandates and subsidies. |
| Losers | Why They Lose |
|---|---|
| New York Families | Higher heating, cooling, and electricity bills. |
| Local Businesses | Pay more for energy → less competitive with other states. |
| Workers in Oil & Gas | Jobs in natural gas, heating oil, and related industries disappear. |
| Taxpayers | Billions in subsidies come out of their pockets. |
| The Electric Grid | More blackouts and instability as reliable fuels get phased out too quickly. |
Sources: , Big New York news BigNY.com
, Energyplan.ny.gov/Plans/Draft-2025-Energy-Plan , Midtown Tribune News