Mobilization & Policy Advocacy

Climate change is an urgent, complex issue that requires the implementation of large-scale, system-level solutions, including policy (both legislative and regulatory) change.  

Do you want to see these bold policy changes that will help our community thrive? Then join us on our Climate Advocacy Network and be a voice for our community at all levels of government to advance these changes.

There is no specific time commitment and members can choose to participate in many different ways. Participation is designed to be “plug ‘n play”- the Accelerator provides the tools and coordination and you choose which actions you have the capacity to take! For instance, you could make just one phone call per year or dive in and help us coordinate meetings with legislative officials! Every action counts, no matter how small! 

If an entire organization wishes to join, we ask that a point person (who has permission to advocate on behalf of their organization) sign up using this form. 

No Experience Required! The Accelerator will regularly provide training and support on our legislative priorities, basics of advocacy, and the NYS legislative process. To sign up and start getting action alerts, fill out our volunteer form and make sure to check: Mobilization, Policy and Advocacy.

Policy We Support

When choosing the specific policies to which we will lend our support, we look at four cross-cutting considerations: equity, regenerative economic development, public health and ecological stewardship. The Accelerator recognizes that those who contribute least to the problem will be impacted first and worst by the effects of climate change. Therefore, we give high priority to policy that improves equitable access to climate solutions and will not support policy that places additional burden on disadvantaged communities (DACs). In short, we strive to “do no harm”. We use the term disadvantaged communities in alignment with the CLCPA terminology, please click here for more information. 

In our advocacy, we prioritize policies that provide the greatest opportunity for regional emissions reductions as well as miscellaneous economy-wide actions that build our thriving regenerative community. We give the most support to policies that:

  • Reduce vehicle miles traveled and expand multi-modal transportation options.

  • Decarbonize and strengthen the electrical grid. 

  • Increase building efficiency and electrification. 

  • Reduce agricultural emissions and develop local food systems.

  • Strive to affirmatively benefit disadvantaged communities in addressing climate change. 

Using this platform and the Genesee-FLX Climate Action Strategy as our guides and in alignment with stakeholders we identify our specific policy priorities each year. We have legislative, budgetary and regulatory priorities. 

The Accelerator intervenes in the NYSEG/RGE rate cases as one of our regulatory priorities. Any time a utility wants to raise (or lower) its utility rates, they have to file a rate case before the Public Service Commission (PSC), the New York State entity charged with regulating utilities. This typically happens every three years. These cases address our energy infrastructure and set our utility rates. 

Organizations and even individuals can participate in rate cases--and should, because these proceedings are important "checks and balances" on very powerful companies and their public regulators--both of which heavily impact the climate. 

NYS Climate Policy and Programs 

New York State’s key piece of climate legislation is the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). This law requires the following: 

  • 85% emissions reduction and net-zero total emissions by 2050 (from 1990 levels), with interim goals

  • 100% emissions-free electricity by 2040

  • 35% of the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency spending going to “disadvantaged” communities

 For additional details, see New York Renews’ summary, New York State’s summary, or the complete bill text. To keep up to date with how the CLCPA is being implemented, see Columbia Law School’s Climate Law Tracker.   

 Local climate advocates should also be aware that NYS: 

NYSERDA and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation are the primary agencies that administer state-level climate programs and initiatives, though the NYS Department of Health is another good resource for information about the health-specific aspects of climate change. 

In our region, the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council administers the state’s Clean Energy Communities program. The Council recently produced a Guide to a Clean Energy Future for our region and in 2013 created a Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan (that is now outdated). 

Our Partners

The Accelerator convenes and collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders including organizations, coalitions including Renewable Heat Now and NY Renews, local policy-makers and community members on our policy work.